[jambutty]

Originally Posted by West Ender

I first started thinking the world had gone mad more than 30 years ago and every day I know it's gone a little bit madder.

Smoking is not illegal, in theory, but smoking in just about any place is banned. It makes no sense. They should either make tobacco an illegal substance and stop all smoking or they should repeal some of these ridiculous restrictions - but they won't.

They won't criminalise tobacco because the revenue obtained from duty on cigarettes is £millions per year and, of course, you can't tax something that's not legitimate. Now they also have all the extra revenue from on the spot fines for smoking transgressions. I'm glad I gave up, just to spite them.

Smoking seems to be second only to motoring as the government money-spinner. I wonder what will be next?

The other big money spinner is alcohol. The abuse and misuse of which is costing the NHS (and we the hard pressed taxpayer) squillions that is taking away resources from the genuinely ill.