If a precedent is set then my question is "What group of people is next"? Its all about choice....isn't it? I choose not to smoke but I do not, and will not, ignore the right of others to smoke. If the Government thinks it OK to take away smokers rights, and gets away with it, then I'm pretty sure they (gvt) will have no hesitation in taking away whatever rights they feel like of those that dont. It's not just "smokers" because you can insert whatever word you want....Coffee, Gambling, Drinking, Pushbike riding...etc....Be carefull of taking away peoples rights...one day it could be yours.

I don't care if a person chooses to kill themselves due to their own choice to smoke, what I object to is having to walk anlong the footpath through the clouds of smoke and stink outside public buildings as the workers are not allowed to smoke on the grounds. Building regulations should be changed to make employers/building owners to build polution rooms with filters to release the byproduct into the atmosphere like in airports, that way I don't get affected by the smokers, let them rest in peace and suck each others smoke into their lungs.

It is refreshing to note comments supporting the right of adults to make their own decisions about what risk taking behaviour they will engage in, whether it be motor racing, skydiving, mountain climbing, eating fatty foods, smoking or anything else. Where do these people who claim the right to mind other people's business obtain their mandate? I didn't vote for them, and nor did I vote to give any government a mandate to tell me how I can spend my tax paid earnings. If I want to smoke then I shall. The factual basis for all this 'do as I say' interference is also selectively quoted and dubious. 93% of people who smoke do NOT develop a smoking related fatal illness, and of course 100% of people who do not smoke also die. I like to smoke, and if I am not bothering anyone else, what possible right do the self appointed wowsers have to tell me to behave otherwise. The self righteous holier than thou naggers should 'butt out'.