19/04/2006
Written by: Iain O'Neil

Fears that bar staff and licensees would be put in a vulnerable position when enforcing smoke bans have proven true for at least one Scottish pub worker.

The 23-year-old Edinburgh barman is recovering after being glassed by a punter who grew angry at being asked to smoke outside.

The man, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Scotsman newspaper: ”He came up to the bar blowing smoke in my face and shouting 'Who the f*** are you to tell me what to do? I can smoke where I f****** like'.

"He then punched me above my eye. I stumbled back and he threw a glass off the bar at me, which missed. He then threw another which hit me on the back of the head."

A police spokesman said: "I have never heard of any other incident involving the smoking ban."

Scottish Licensed Trade Association chief executive Paul Waterson told the newspaper: "Our staff are very vulnerable when they have to enforce the smoking ban. We hope these incidents are isolated."