Sleepy Rosie Notes that it is hypocritical to criminalise smokers whilst extracting duty from sale of cigarettes.

Governments do not always get it right. Smokers have a vote too. Just because somebody has a drug problem and is in denial doesn't make it right.

If society actually stopped and considered listened to the bare facts regarding health, discomfort of others and environmental considerations, smoking would be up there with other toxic barbiturates, and smokers would perhaps realise how anti social their addiction is to others.

Democracy is the best type of government available, but until the vast majority do not contain smokers and their apologists, governments are going to carry doing their wire dance. Listen to their health experts one day and the treasury the next.