The last-gasp celebration

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As London prepares to go smoke-free in eleven days, it’s generally accepted that those people who aren’t already trying to give up will be suitably shamefaced about their habit. Ah, but think again. Some will be marking the ­beginning of the ban with a wave of events across the capital, from the swanky to the political, to the plain wacky.

Those who want to bid goodbye to smoking in the lap of luxury can choose between two formal dinners at posh hotels. Next Monday, the Revolt in Style dinner will take place at the Savoy Hotel, organised by smokers’ rights group FOREST. The night includes a three-course dinner with wine, live jazz, and guest speaker Andrew Neil.

On Thursday, at The Last Smoke hosted at The Four Seasons, guests can enjoy a five-course smoke-inspired menu, a specially selected cigar with each course, and a selection of whiskeys. If you’d prefer to take a more cerebral approach to the ban, you can choose between two events on Tuesday. Writers’ and actors’ group Liars’ League will be holding its monthly short story reading night – this month’s theme is ­cigarettes and alcohol.

And campaigning network The Manifesto Club will be holding The Last Gasp Debate, to consider the implications of the smoking ban for individual freedom.

For those who want to celebrate the louche, bohemian side of smoking, The Last Tuesday Society is organising an evening of decadence to mark “the ending of over 400 years of tradition”. It’s a masked ball, to symbolise the fact that smoking is about to become a furtive, hidden, secretive activity.

The evening will feature music and cocktails, and a limited number of masks will be available on the door. Then on Saturday, Brit artists favourite pub, The Golden Heart (above right), will be hosting The Last Puff. Highlights include a smoking-related pub quiz at 8pm, a fancy dress contest with a prize for the best cigarette costume, and a “guess that brand” competition.

For dedicated smokers, life must still go on after 30 June. Cigar importers Hunters & Frankau will be holding the first major post-ban cigar event on 5 July, in Carlton House Terrace Gardens, where they plan to ­introduce pleasurable art of cigar smoking outdoors.

The light-up list

Monday 25 June

Revolt in Style, a Freedom Dinner at the Savoy Hotel, from 7pm. £95 (or £750 for a table of ten)

Tickets from www.forestonline.org or 01223 370156

The Strand, WC2

Tuesday 26 June

Liars’ League, Cigarettes & Alcohol, 7pm, £2

Upstairs at The Lamb, 94 Lamb’s Conduit Street, WC1 www.myspace.com/liarsleague

Last Gasp Debate Free for members; non-members can sign up on the door or pay £5.

Doors open at 7pm; debate begins at 7.30pm at The Evangelist, 33 Blackfriars Lane, London, EC4

Thursday 28 June

The Last Smoke, Four Seasons Hotel, Hamilton Place, Park Lane, W1 7pm, £135

Ticket price includes dinner, cigars and whiskey.

For more information go to www.spectator.co.uk/events.php. For tickets call 020 7907 5323

Friday 29 June

The Last Gasp Mask Ball, 10pm-3am, £10 on the door, £7.50 in advance www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org

The 18th Century Rooms of 9 Adam Street, WC2

Saturday 30 June

The Last Puff at The Golden Heart, from 6pm. Entry is free, quiz begins at 8pm, 110 Commercial Street London E1

Thursday, 5 July

A Summer Cigar Party in Carlton House Terrace Gardens, £60

Tickets must be bought in advance, call Sarah Hannah on 020 7471 8419 or email sarah@cigars.co.uk