No More Smoking in UK

The UK just passed a bill outlawing smoking in all pubs, restaurants, and even private clubs beginning in '07. I'm not a smoker, and I hate smoky places, so from a purely selfish point of view, the ban adds to my enjoyment. However, I'm against this new piece of legislation. As Matthew Lynn points out, this ban is likely to lead to more lifestyle regulations where the government sticks their nose into private citizens' lives.

I'm not sure what will be next, but Ireland has either implemented, or is about to implement a special tax on fatty foods and fast foods. Alcohol should be a prime candidate for an outright ban as well, considering the immediate negative impact it can have in most large cities (loud noise, frolicking, vomiting, violence, drunk driving). Regulating peoples' lives is a slippery slope.

If government wants to inform its citizens of the risks of smoking, that's fine. Force a pubowner to put a sign out front, saying: this is a smoking pub. If another guy wants to open a non-smoking pub, that's ok too. But let's let the free markets decide.