It's true i'm a non smoker, i've never been a smoker and clearly have a slightly biased opinion. I'm always quite balance in my views usually though and I do truly believe in the freedom of choice.

For me the banning of smoking in bars, restaurants etc has been a great thing. Now I can go into bars and not breathe in smoke against my will, my clothes don't stink of stale smoke after a night out. I choose to be a non smoker, and therefore this is my right -by not smoking I am not endangering anyones life.

A smoker has the right to choose to smoke and accepts all the risks that this brings to their own health and to a certain extent i'm fine with this (although I do have some feelings about the costs of treating smoking related illness to the NHS). The problem is that by smoking in a public place a smoker cannot help but spread the dangers of cigarette smoke around. I don't want to be a passive smoker.

Whilst the idea of smoke free bars and restaurants is great, i'm still very often faced with a face full of smoke whilst walking down a street. Why is it fair that someone can assault me with their smoke - if i hurt them by punching them in the face that would be illegal.

I think we are a little way off of a total public smoking ban, but it needs to happen. Society needs to allow people to be able to not be exposed to passive smoking against their will.