Artist David Hockney took his personal crusade against the proposed partial ban on smoking in public places to the Labour Party's conference.
The painter, who smokes 30 cigarettes a day, rallied opposition to the Government's plans at a Brighton fringe meeting.
He said: "I'm going to stick up for smokers. Somebody should start it and get the debate going."
Last November, a Government White Paper proposed a ban on smoking in public places in England by 2008, though it said licensed premises which did not serve food and private members' clubs, would be exempt.
Earlier, a photocall with Mr Hockney was disrupted by veteran anti-smoking protester Stuart Holmes.
Mr Holmes, who regularly pickets Labour's conferences, turned up at the photocall, at Brighton's West Pier Hotel, and brandished a placard calling for a prohibition on all tobacco products.
September 29 2005
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