When Antonio Nunes had a smoke at a New Year party in Portugal, he appears to have been unaware he was defying a new ban his agency has to enforce.
The President of the Portuguese Food Standards Agency was pictured having a cigar at a casino on the outskirts of Lisbon, after the law came into effect.
Mr Nunes said he was unaware that the ban on smoking in bars, cafes and restaurants also applied to casinos.
"We will have to look into what is in the law," he told a newspaper.
The restrictions, which came into Portugal on New Year's Day, are not as tough as elsewhere in Europe but the country's ministry of health has confirmed they do cover casinos.
Although smoking is not allowed in licensed premises smaller than 100-sq-m (1,076-sq-ft), the premises can choose to remain smoking or non-smoking.
A stricter ban applies to public buildings such as offices, shopping centres and schools but smoking rooms can be allowed as long as they are clearly marked and ventilated. ( BBC )