Pipe smokers fume

May 6 2008

A new state law in Illinois that bans smoking in public places has taken the steam out of the Chicagoland International Pipe & Tobacciana Show.

The weekend event in St Charles draws 4,000 pipe collectors from more than 60 countries.

Organisers had tried to get around the new law by arguing their gathering was a private club meeting, but police and health chiefs said no.

Convention-goer Al Shinogle, of Denver, Colorado, likened the event to a wine tasting without the wine.