THE smoke is clearing in bars, restaurants and workplaces around the developed world. In March, the Republic of Ireland became the first country to introduce a ban on smoking in public places. Norway and New Zealand soon followed suit, while proposals for a ban are pending in Sweden, Scotland and England. The Asian kingdom of Bhutan has outlawed tobacco sales completely.
The bans, which follow those across states and cities in the US and Canada, are aimed at stubbing out a habit that already kills 5 million people a year. But while prohibition is becoming fashionable in the rich nations,…
