After the Government provided almost £30 million to pay for an army of inspectors to patrol bars, restaurants and shops and impose on-the-spot fines on smokers from July 1, Given there is going to be a ban on smoking in public places, we accept there is a need for some form of enforcement against flagrant breaches by commercial premises.
Yet these proposed heavy-handed surveillance and zealous inspections look like a wholly disproportionate response - a municipal sledgehammer to crack a nut.
With the scheme following hard on the heels of Government plans to hire thousands of "bin police" to look into wheelie bins and administer new rubbish taxes, and for taxmen to enter people's homes to inspect their home improvements for the forthcoming council tax revaluation, the Shadow Minister for Local Government, said: "People want their council tax to be used to clean the streets, collect their rubbish and keep the streets safe. They don't want it spent on bankrolling a town hall Taliban."
Under the smoking crackdown, inspectors will be able to enter almost all enclosed public places including offices, factories, pubs and bars, and even photograph and film people. Business owners have a duty to ensure their customers comply with the ban, and will be liable for £200 fines if proper signs are not displayed. Refusal to enforce the ban on premises could result in fines of up to £2,500. Local authorities have been given responsibility for enforcing the ban because of existing pressure son police time.
