Smoking Ban

The UK smoking ban kicks in on Sunday :(
You won't be allowed to smoke in enclosed public places
(Pubs, Restaurants etc) or work places (including work vans).

Not sure if the work van one only applies if it's during work
hours only, my eldest uses his works van for business and pleasure!!
Funniest one I've heard is that Steam train drivers aren't allowed to
smoke while driving, would anyone find out if they did?

Anyway, the official blurb is -
"From 1st of July 2007 virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England will become smokefree. A smokefree England will ensure a healthier environment, so everyone can socialise, relax, travel, shop and work free from secondhand smoke"

I would have thought to have "a healthier environment" smoking would not
scratch the surface?
Banning motor vehicles, air travel, fossil fueled power stations, chemicals,
rain forest destruction, drugs, alcohol and all weapons would help a hell of a lot more.

I know I'm bitter and twisted, but I can't get my head around why a pastime I enjoy
is so socially unacceptable, when going to a pub and getting blind drunk, abusing
everyone, vandalising property and beating to death some poor bloke who happens
to be in my way is still so common and seemingly acceptable.
Or I could jump in my car while drunk and plough into a bus stop full of people, and
probably just have my licence taken away and if very unlucky get a short sentence.
But no-one says ban alcohol?

114,000 deaths last year from smoking (probably 99% of them people who have chosen
to smoke, and know the risks)

Approx 40,000 alcohol related deaths last year (only half of these are the actual people
who drink, the rest are people killed by drunk drivers, or attacked by drunks).

I enjoy a drink like many others but don't remember causing anyone else problems,
and don't remember giving anyone problems after too many cigarettes.