Those that have been reading this site for a while know that I’m all for curtailing smoking in public places. Living in Hellas, a country where non-smokers are forced to inhale third-party smoke daily, my sentiments often become somewhat strong. Yet, fining a freelance painter for smoking in his own (private) van while going to work is stupid, wrong and — if anything — provides ample ammunition to those that try to portray smoking bans as discriminatory or controversial.

Smoking bans, to the extent that they ensure smoke-free public spaces are good. This kind of overly zealous enforcement of a vague (at best) law isn’t. I hope this guy takes them to court and wins.