Only a lunatic would oppose this measure.

In recent weeks I have noticed a certain amount of, not pride exactly, more quiet satisfaction in the Irish Smoke-Free State. The policy seems to be working, it's been adopted by various other countries, mainly ones with a tradition of puritanism and alcoholism, such as Norway, Scotland and now England (up to a point).

Of course, it wasn't the first place to adopt such a ban (California and New York also have one, though the Bush voting areas seem more liberal in this regard), but the phrase "Irish-style smoking ban" seems to be the slogan of the moment among right-thinking, clean-living types. You know all this. Trouble is, this isn't an entirely new idea.

Turkmenistan introduced one a few years ago.

Clearly Saparmurat Niyazov Turkmenbashi, he country's far-sighted, some might say visionary, leader, deserves more credit for this policy. The least we could do is use the phrase "Turkmen-style smoking ban". After that, who knows? A giant gold statue of Tony Blair, months renamed after Bertie's mother. We can but hope.