Anti-smoking campaigners have lambasted Gorillaz front-man Damon Albarn after he lit up a cigarette on stage during a gig.
While playing at the Portsmouth venue The Wedgewood Rooms with his cartoon band (not quite sure how that performance worked, but still) the ex-Blur star sparked up mid-way through his set. He then passed it to guest act Paul Simenon, who started off in punk band The Clash during the intimate gig.
Since the smoking ban was passed in 2007, it is illegal to smoke in public space. This means Albarn is now eligible for a fine of up to £2,500. Heath experts from the anti-smoking charity Action on Smoking and Health have called for both musicians to be suitably punished.
Sources told the Daily Mail that it was not only the artists should be fined, but the premises where the show took place. They added that the problem was not just that Albarn broke the law, but that he was sending out a poor message to fans.
Amanda Sandford, spokewoman for the charity, said that there could be no excuse for the pair, as smoking was not relevant to the act.
The staff at the Wedgewood Rooms said that they had not been aware that any smoking had taken place during the act, nor had they received any complaints.