I don’t think many can argue that it’s long overdue, and the only complaint appears to be that the legislation seems to be a bit heavy-handed in some respects. For example, why should a factory that has been smoke-free for decades suddenly have to install signage to the effect or face a substantial fine?

But hey, what’s not so good for the goose can be good for the gander – and I’m guessing sign printers certainly have no complaints.

Of course, the smoking ban isn’t the only government initiative that is featured this week and, in fairness, compared to the Waste Strategy for England, it’s been welcomed like an old friend.

The government’s plan to consider an opt-in scheme for non-addressed ‘junk mail’ raised more than just a few eyebrows last week. In fact, judging by some of the reactions it could actually drive some printers to take up smoking.

In the politicians’ ongoing game of one-upmanship in the ‘who’s the greenest’ competition, the print and packaging sector seems once again to be the whipping boy.

Of course, quite often these kinds of announcement have a dual purpose; firstly, and obviously, to grab the headlines and secondly, to fire a warning shot across the bow of the targeted industry and give it a chance to get its own house in order.

The problem is that the DM sector is already self-regulating and has been running a opt-out scheme for a number of years.

Perhaps it just needs to get the message out more effectively to the consumers, although I’m guessing smoke signals will soon be out of the question.