BAN – We admit it’s a bit late, but asyou know we never let an opportunitygo pass if it concerns the tobacco Mafia.Depending on whose side you’re on,this one is quite hilarious.

Organisers of the Tobacco AsiaExpo 2007, which took place in HongKong in January were outraged whenhours before the opening, they foundout that Hong Kong had introduced atotal smoking ban in public places onJanuary 1st.

Even special smoking rooms wherevisitors and potential cancer clientscould puff away on a fag, were out ofthe question, leaving no other optionfor the nicotine addicts to go outsidefor a drag.

We actually happened to be in theexhibition hall – believe us for entirelydifferent reasons – at the same timewhen the Tobacco show was on.

What a pleasant sight of empty aislesand deserted exhibits! And thanks tothe ban, remarkably fresh air without awhiff of tobacco surrounded us duringour brief visit to the enemy.

We don’t expect Tobacco Asia Expoto be back in Hong Kong.

But then, that would be hardly aloss, wouldn’t it?