Leaner, meaner, working quicker, more capable of doing tasks. Me? Sadly no, the computer after a complete wipe clean and reinstallation of the set up disks. Mind you, not that much has been missed in the way off news. With little going on in the domestic political arena, some papers have turned their attention to the July smoking ban. Today’s “Telegrapgh” highlights how smokers are going to face fines of £80 if they stub their cigarettes out on the streets. Being a non-smoker I find a night out ruined by the smell of smoke, but I’m beginning to feel a little sorry for the 10 million indulgers who live in this country. Hardly a minority, but they are being singled out for the pariah treatment. With a heavy taxation burden, not wanted in public spaces and now faced with hefty fines, smokers are rapidly becoming the nations great unwanted. What about obesity and alcoholism related issues? Are people going to banned from eating in a public place, or fined for having a large waist? Whilst the health argument is compelling, the level of state intervention in private affairs concerns me more and I can’t help seeing this as another serious erosion of personal freedom. On a less serious note, the list of areas not included in the ban does cause some mirth; prison cells, oilrigs and submarines are all areas where smoking is still allowed. The reason being? Well, there hardly the type of places where you can pop out for a quick drag are they! How long then, before we see the first underwater pub, the “Durham Jail Arms” or the “BP North Sea Fried Chicken” food outlet?
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