Ex-smokers are like ex-communists. They are the most virulent foes of their past follies – in one case, a dangerous habit and in the other, a dangerous philosophy. Having been a smoker, I should be whole-heartedly welcoming the planned restrictions on smoking that come into effect tomorrow (Oct. 2). But I am not.

I think what is going on in the name of curbs on smoking is a lot of rubbish. Nobody is clear on what is a public place and what is a private place. My office cabin, I would imagine, is a private place where, if I choose, I could smoke without causing any harm to others. But apparently not because the entire office complex is a “public” place.

Similarly, a restaurant and bar that has less than 30 guests cannot allow smoking but another with more guests can have by creating a separate smoking room. And which part of the street is public and which is private? And by the way, which parts of my housing complex are public and which are private? We are going to end up quibbling with all these things and achieve precious little.

I have been an admirer of Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, notably for his fearless approach in taking on celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan’s on-screen smoking and the off-screen smoking of Shah Rukh Khan and West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, not to mention his liberal attitudes toward sex and homosexuality. But he has gone overboard with his anti-smoking measures, and already invited the intervention of courts. ITC has filed a case, as will many others.

Ramadoss should realize that his goal is not to eradicate smoking, or even forcing people like SRK or Buddhadeb to kick the habit. His goals should be to prevent the ill effects on passive smokers and to stop the growth of newer and younger smokers. He has yet to do something significant with regard to the latter. In fact, Ramadoss would do well to set the noble goal of saving young boys from the clutches of cigarette companies that lure them at a young age and keep them addicted until their death.