Cigar Weekly

MEMBERS of the MPs'   cigar and pipe club are fuming, more than a year after the Commons voted in Europe's toughest anti-  smoking laws. That's because they can't find anywhere to meet in the precincts of Parliament and have to gather "like criminals" in each other's houses. But they aren't the only politicians convinced that the ban will be yet another drag on Labour's chances at the next election. Culture Media and Sport Secretary, Andy Burnham, told friends recently he is STILL getting protest letters from voters who see their communities going down the drain as pubs, clubs and bingo halls face closure. But The Whip hears the sound of approaching cavalry. On-off ciggie addict David Cameron's Tories are hoping to ambush Labour with a "Freedom Charter" during the election campaign. It will reverse the discredited hunting ban, scrap ID cards and non-criminals going on the DNA database, curb the health and safety Gestapo - and allow   smoking in private working men's clubs and special sealed off areas in pubs. Strike a light - they may be on to something.