The last government may have been warmongering liars, but they shall be remembered as the most forward and progressive public health administration for banning smoking in public places.

Whatever the faults of this newer government, they recognise this, and are pressing forward with the earlier plans for advertising and are listening to the medical advice regarding smoking in the same room as children, especially closed in places such as cars.

Throwing the contents of your chamber pot into the street was normal 250 years ago and now is slightly frowned upon to say the least...

Bernard is absolutely correct on one dilemma he mentions.. If no tobacco pedlars can advertise, the level playing field remains and so selling tobacco becomes more profitable, as their largest overhead other than duty is advertising.

That said, in terms of personal health abuse, it ranks with many acceptable poisons such as the increase in salt and sugar in processed foods, ironically because people wanted less fat in their food after being told it was bad for you. Alcohol is a huge both killer and life quality lowerer but there has to be a line somewhere.

I do think though that if there is a line, then tobacco is below it. It not only affects the smoker, it can affect those exposed to it, and even if that isn't enough to make it socially unacceptable, then as we are exposed to it less, the stink becomes even worse. If you smoke, people increasingly try not to stand near you, even when you are not smoking. People aren't comfortable being in your home because it smells too. Never enjoyed snogging an ashtray either.

Many people say it is difficult to stop. Some say they can't concentrate without it. Funny that. I used to work with many chain smokers, but for the 8 hours down the pit, not a fag in site and you know what? Everybody just got on with their job. If you can't, you don't, and if you don't, you don't need to either. The most successful quitters are those who say sod it, and throw the rest of the box away, not those who attend lectures and have arms like second hand bike inner tubes.

And if you want to smoke anyway? Fine. Just don't be upset when society take measures to ensure the rest of us don't have to share your addiction.