Up until December 2006 I would have voted 'Yes', but since that date I haven't touched one cigarette and am now smoke free
Regarding the 'nanny state', people do realise that England is one of the last European countries to bring in the 'public places' smoking ban? So that means most of Europe along with other countries in the world are also nanny states...
Though I gave up last year, I do believe that smokers should be given an area to smoke in enclosed public spaces. However, this needs to be sufficiently shielded from the rest of the public so that smoke stays within that area so as not to affect non smokers.
From a selfish point of view I'm looking forward to the July 1st ban as it will remove further the temptation for me to want a cigarette. If no-one else is smoking around me and I can't smell it, then I won't want one...
Maybe I'll have just one in a bar on June 30th just for the hell of it. The following day that's it, it's banned!
I do feel for those that do want to continue smoking though. It is their choice, but by the same token it's a non smokers choice to NOT be affected by second hand smoke. Certainly one of the reasons I gave up after 14 years was because of the impending ban, so from a health point of view it's a good thing for me.
The reality is that it is going to get more and more difficult to find somewhere to smoke in future. You can be sure that the bans will soon encompass public parks, and I know that places like Disney World and Universal Studios ban smoking outside except in designated areas. I was still smoking when I went to those theme parks, and every time I wanted a ciggie I felt like I was being put in 'Lepers Corner'.
I know for me it's made it much easier giving up now than waiting until July 1st. It's going to be REALLY hard for a smoker from that date onwards