Crowe leaves some Kiwis smoking mad

updated 9:06 a.m. ET April 3, 2006

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Russell Crowe is under a cloud of suspicion in his country of birth for allegedly smoking while performing with his new band.

Crowe allegedly lit up during concerts in New Zealand — a move that would have breached the country’s Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act, which bans smoking in bars, restaurants and casinos and all other indoor public venues.

Crowe, 41, and his new band The Ordinary Fear of God, had been on a three-concert tour of the country.

Crowe did smoke during his first concert at Leigh on North Island, his New Zealand promoter Brett Eccles said Monday.

“I saw him smoking at Leigh, but it was very discreet,” Eccles told The Associated Press. He added that he was unaware of whether Crowe had been told smoking on stage was illegal in New Zealand.

Crowe will not face any legal action for the breach since prosecutions are directed against venue proprietors, who each could face fines of several thousand dollars.

As for Crowe’s music, the Academy Award winner wasn’t completely welcomed back with open arms. Dominion Post reviewer Simon Sweetman wrote that he found Crowe “an OK singer” but a “stunningly average” performer who should stick to his more successful day job, acting.

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