I agree that the binge drinking culture is a problem that needs sorting out.
However, the comparison to smoking just doesn't stack up. Nobody's suggesting banning smoking, or stopping smokers going to pubs. Is it it really that much of an affront to civil liberties to just ask them to go outside for five minutes if they need to smoke.
I think the key thing is, in places with the ban, after a while, even a lot of smokers seem to agree with the ban. They can all congregate in a nice social huddle outside (and if they can manage it in Toronto when it's minus 20 outside, they can manage it here!) yet the inside of the building is a far more pleasant environment.
Everyone's a winner.
It's not that I disagree with you, but surely a mixture of smoking and none smoking pubs is the fairest option at the landlords discretion.... Baring in mind I am a none smoker, I just don't see the issue with this...
But I also make the point that yes this ban is in force and none smokers should be pleased with this, but I get really **** when people bitch, moan and pull faces when smokers are outside and people still moan because they want to sit outside!! You can't have it both way, without an outright ban..