Notwithstanding agreement with most of the comments posted, if the medics and government (of the UK and elsewhere as well as the general anti-smoking population thereof) are really serious about all this, then they should be working towards the eventual total abolition of the manufacture and selling of all tobacco products. It is worthy of note that in these "PC" days discrimination against smokers is just about the only form of discrimination that is legal. I am sure that eventually (by whatever means) we will all be able to live in a smoke-free world. After the smokers, let's start on those people who insist on walking on the cracks in the pavement. Gary Kearns, Kuwait

So the UK will ban smoking, what is the point? Here in the US, where smoking bans are in place like California, New York city, people can't wait to go and live in another state or city, I am here in Miami watching the guys from New York arriving here "for a smoke". Just don't be stupid; God gave us life to have fun with, and be responsible also, but if you ban almost everything, where is the interest? None. Manuel Borges, Miami, Florida

The smoking ban, in all fairness, should go no further than the smoke does. Keyur Buch, Manchester

If you want to ban something based on cost to the NHS and other people’s ill health as a side effect of the taker’s participation, why not ban alcohol as well? After all, that costs the NHS and other’s people’s ill health at least as much as does tobacco – witness the chaos in Britain’s town centres on the weekends and the alcohol-related queues in A&E. People could always go to the pub and drink cola. Edwin Thornber, Bucharest, Romania

I was in Toronto last year when the smoking ban came into force there - and what a difference. The ability to go for a drink and not come home stinking of other people's fag smoke makes socializing a pleasure from beginning to end, not a trial to be endured. Now I live in Scotland and cannot wait for next year when we get our smoking ban. Nigel Calvert, Glasgow

We must have a ban on smoking in all public places, it is an unpleasant habit and very inconsiderate in restaurants and other similar establishments, surely it is just oldfashioned good manners to consider the effect on others of all the actions we take. Maureen Smith, Orsett, Essex

A blanket ban on smoking in all public and work places would be easier to understand and comply with and therefore easier to enforce. People are entiltled to clean air and good health no matter where they work, where they visit or where they choose to enjoy themselves socially. David Feather, Amman, Jordan

The European Commission has banned smoking completely in its Jean Monet building, with the result that its approaches are thronged with sad nicotine addicts making the air foul. The European Parliament, by contrast, has designated smoking areas with good smoke extraction systems; people may also smoke in their offices if they are the only occupant. I know which approach I prefer. Alan Carlisle, Haller, Luxembourg

As a smoker I am relatively sanguine about the government's plans. Once I had worked out that “public places” means smoky bars, rather than a walk in the countryside, I put away my hatchet, and said to myself "roll on brave new world". What I do object to is the idotic spin we get from the medical establishment, for instance, likening smoking to the scourge of polio. Christopher Tipper, Much Wenlock

At the moment smokers rule: it is near impossible to go for a drink or a bite to eat without having to suffer the passive smoke of people all too willing to destroy their own health alongside that of others. A blanket ban on smoking in all enclosed public and work spaces needs to be introduced. The White Paper in September was inconclusive and ineffective, suggesting the introduction of a ban in a minority of locations affecting the smallest number of people possible. Matthew Lovell, Oxford

Smoking is a filthy and disgusting habit which harms those around the smoker. It makes many people’s lives a misery and should be banned in public. Why should I put up with someone else smoking when I don't do it myself? George Parkes, Salisbury

The effects of secondary smoking have been shown to be dangerous - therefore smoking is at best anti-social and at worst amounts to a potentially contagious disease. Ban it in all public places, now. Henry Macdonald, Madrid

I support a complete ban on smoking in all enclosed public spaces; it is long overdue. I was recently in Dublin where a similar ban, already in force, showed how beneficial this is. I'm not against the right of anyone to smoke (despite all of the medical evidence and health costs to the taxpayer) but that right should not impact adversely on others. Julian Murphy, London