THE Opera Ball, the highlight of Vienna’s social calendar, will offer its thousands of guests an extra speciality next month alongside the traditional Sachertorte and the Blue Danube waltz: nicotine inhalers.

They will be available to help guests to cope with the shock of a ban on smoking imposed by Ioan Holender, the Opera’s director.

Smoking is as much a part of Vienna’s café society as coffee and pastries. At least half of Austrians smoke. Some of the ball’s enthusiasts have demanded Herr Holender’s resignation and threatened legal action.

In an attempt to head off the fury that threatens the only profit-making event in the opera house’s year, Herr Holender has pledged to pay for the nicotine inhalers. Trained medical advisers provided by the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists will also be on hand to give counselling to people unable to deal with the stress of an entire evening without a cigarette.

Those who want to nip out for a drag will face a daunting crush. Some 4,800 guests are expected to join musicians, dancers, waiters and various performers, to make a total of about 7,000 people. The average ticket price is £300.

The first official Vienna Opera Ball took place in the Staatsoper in 1935, but the Viennese do not like to recall those of Nazi-occupied times.

The ball’s official history now begins in 1956, when it was revived after rebuilding the followed the Second World War.

This year the event takes place on February 3.

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