Puffing away

I was slightly startled by this paragraph from the Chicago Tribune's Mark Caro, reporting on the Hollywood parties ealier this week.

California's anti-smoking law doesn't apply to Oscar night revelers. Supporting actor nominee Josh Brolin is puffing away at a cocktail table with wife Diane Lane and Jessica Alba, whose hand he kisses in greeting. In the semi-outside area in back, Natalie Portman (who's tiny), Jason Segal (who's not) and now Winslet are taking their drags.

Kate, like many actresses, has had a range of "smoking"roles, but having a crafty snout off-screen doesn't quite tie-in with an English Rose, head girl, image. I discussed this with chums yesterday, one of whom claimed that UK laws on smoking are not always applied in pubs not far from Kate's country home.