Their lips are moving.

OK, that's a bit harsh, but check out details of the latest outrage, as described by Mr. Eugenides: "A study by the International Epidemiological Association has found that the smoking ban in Scotland has, as predicted by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association and consistently denied by the Executive, led to a fall in both revenues and customers in Scottish pubs...Before the ban was brought in, ministers flatly denied that the ban would hit trade; indeed, they argued that the ban would actually benefit business, as the smoke-free atmosphere would draw in people who had previously avoided them. Now that the licensed trade's gloomy predictions are beginning to be backed up with hard facts, the politicos are changing tack; OK, so it is hurting business after all, they admit - but we don't give a ****. [asterisks subsituted by me: family-friendly website , and all that]...If you're going to argue for a change in the law, particularly one that impinges on people's freedom of choice as much as the smoking ban does, that is your right. Many friends of mine, including some smokers, have welcomed the ban, and feel pubs are better places now than they were a year ago. But you have a duty to put your case honestly, and not simply lie to get your way. However, in this country, we are treated like children and not trusted to make our own choices about the way we live. It comes as no surprise, therefore, to hear whispers (no more than that, at the moment) about pubs being required to submit "healthy eating" menus when the rules for licensing are changed in a couple of years."

Read the whole thing.