TONY Blair quit smoking shortly before his wedding day. His bride, Cherie, apparently told the soon-to-be-PM that before he could take her hand in marriage he had to relinquish his grasp on the Benson & Hedges.

In the seven years since he moved into Downing Street, one might be forgiven for assuming Mr Blair begrudged his decision to stop.

In one high-profile incident, he exempted Formula One motor racing from a ban on tobacco advertising - although this might have had more to do with the sport's guru, Bernie Ecclestone, handing the Labour Party a donation of £1 million.

But this week the Government has announced far tougher restrictions on smoking than anyone could possibly have imagined.

From 2006, cigarettes will be banned in all Government buildings, hospitals and clinics. And by the end of 2008, people will no longer be allowed to enjoy a puff at work, in restaurants, cafs and any pub that serves food.

Only pubs which do not serve "prepared" food - about 20 per cent - will welcome smokers.

For all the criticism of "nanny state-ism" - the Government interfering in aspects of life that should be about an individual's freedom and personal right to choose - ministers appear to have got the balance exactly right.

It is slightly disingenuous for the Tories to brand the plan to ban smoking in most pubs and restaurants an ineffective "gimmick".

Former health secretary Ken Clarke criticised the "puritanical" attitudes of health campaigners who he said had forced the ban.

Mr Clarke - never very far away from a cigar - said the new law would be an unnecessary expansion of government power into an area of personal responsibility. "I think the world has gone slightly mad," he said.

Like the expected ban on fox-hunting, the Conservatives have gone on the front foot to condemn the Government for "nannying" the British public.

But this ignores the fact that the vast majority of people do not want to inhale other people's smoke.

Yes, only 42 per cent of people agree with a complete ban - including all pubs.

But one study suggested an overwhelming proportion of the population want tougher restrictions on smoking - for instance, when they are at work or in a restaurant.

Most diners, it has to be said, do not want their lemon sorbet spoiled by smoke, or their artichokes assaulted by fag ash.

The White Paper on public health was considerably tougher than most people predicted.

A system where bars, boozers and brasseries had to apply for a special licence to allow smoking on their premises was expected to be unveiled by Health Secretary John Reid.

But after last week's shocking Department of Health statistics, which revealed almost one-third of deaths of people aged over 35 in York were attributable to smoking-related diseases - including cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure - it is difficult to argue that the Government was incorrect in its determined bid to crack down on cigarettes.

Ministers appear to have negotiated the tricky tightrope between being heavy-handed and allowing people the right to choose to smoke.

One could almost imagine Health Department ministers sitting back and relaxing with a fine Cuban cigar. Or, after this week's proposals, maybe not.

Updated: 11:36 Friday, November 19, 2004