'I wonder which cigarette company sponsored his tour' Heh, yeah I'm sure that's what it was. All part of a secret scheme to make kids think that smoking is ok! Or maybe he just wanted to smoke, and didn't want to pay attention to ludicrous laws.

You suggested to 'dare him to refuse' an invitation to a cancer ward. I think it's pretty obvious he would refuse. Perhaps he's a tad busy, touring and all? Seriously, you think this would work? You have a fascinating mind.

How about this, just throwing it out there: Forget about it, it's a tiny, silly, dull DULL issue. A 'rock' star broke a rule, and got away with it. Its not the first time, and I hope to hell its not the last, because it would be a very depressing, boring world if all rock stars were all law abiding.

'duh but cancer and influence and smoking baaaaad' Yawn.

Robbie Williams, a guy who [in my opinion] has a good singing style, a good presentation, money, fame and adulation. What more could he possibly want?

But he's almost certainly addicted, isn't he, to a drug which has a very good chance of giving him severe health problems, including losing his singing voice, and eventually killing him. What a way to go.

Like most tobacco addicts, he probably got addicted before he was old enough to make a considered judgement on what he was doing to himself. In other words, he fell for Big Tobacco's con job. And maybe he still believes that he has the invincibility of youth. One thing's for sure, if he's a regular smoker, then he certainly has a most unpleasant smell on his breath.

I agree with some of the comments that it could have been very difficult for the Queensland authorities to have forced the issue. But why did Beattie need to go public on paying his fine? Surely he could have just done it and kept his mouth shut, far better for all concerned.

After reading a few posts from the wowsers, I felt a compulsion to purchase a packet of Dunhill and sure enough finished the entire packet. I know its wrong, I should stick to the anti-depressants, but the fags go well with coffee.