Federal, state and local governments around the world have slowly been reducing places where you can light up a cigarette.
In the UK you can't smoke in any enclosed workplaces, on public transport, and at most sporting venues.
Advert
Since 2012, nearly all retailers aren't allowed to display tobacco products and soon all cigarette packets will be plain packaged.
But a council in northern London tried taking it a step further and attempted to ban smoking in beer gardens and restaurant terraces.
Haringey Council suggested extending its smoke free areas to protect public health as it would 'support long term progress and achieving a tobacco-free generation by encouraging more people to quit, removing smoking as a social norm'.
Credit: PA
The idea was reportedly leaked by a Conservative office because local elections are coming up.
Advert
Tory local government minister Marcus Jones has told the Mirror: "If implemented, these ill-founded proposals would lead to massive pub closures."
Jones also accused the council of being 'municipal killjoys' and said they were 'peddling bad and mad ideas'.
He vowed to, and was successful in blocking the scheme.
If you don't smoke cigarettes and prefer vape devices then you'll need to be aware that changes to the law are being made next month.
The changes mainly affect vendors in the way they sell the liquids and machines - which will have a flow on effect to customers.
Credit: PA
From May 20 manufacturers must be aware that:
- Before they're sold, all e-cigarettes and e-liquids must be registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
- The maximum capacity for an e-cigarette's refillable tank must be no bigger than 2ml
- E-liquids cannot be sold in quantities greater than 10ml
- Nicotine within E-liquid must not exceed 20mg/ml - unless registered as a medicine
- The packaging of E-liquids must be child-resistant and tamper evident
- Certain additives such as the stimulants caffeine and taurine or colourings are banned
- There are stricter labelling requirements
Anyone caught breaking these new rules could face two years in jail or a hefty fine.
Product seller CigElectric believes the changes of the maximum nicotine strength won't help cigarette smokers kick the habit.
Advert
It also reckons a reduction of the maximum tank capacity will reduce the range of products.
"Expect a massive shake up of the industry with smaller businesses shutting down, a massive reduction of product offerings and increased costs across the board," it said.
The latest Public Health England review has found e-cigarettes are 95 percent safer than normal smoking.
The machines don't produce tar or carbon monoxide, instead they heat a solution usually with nicotine, a synthetic liquid and flavouring.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Smoking