[Xaccers]

If memory serves, smokers actually bring in more tax than is spent on them, especially when you consider that they are more likely to die before drawing much of their pension!
You've also got to remember, if they don't die of smoking, they'll die of something else, and that costs the NHS too.
Using the NHS to quit smoking costs the NHS as well.
So, the more people who quit smoking, the less tax is given to the treasury, and the more tax is spent by the NHS.

TimeWarrior, interesting point about banning alcohol in pubs.
I don't drink alcohol.
I avoid pubs because of drunk people.
If pubs only served soft drinks, then they'd be opening themselves up to the market of people like me who avoid pubs because of drunks.
Unlike non-smokers, who can currently enjoy non-smoking areas of pubs, there are no non-drunks areas.
Drinkers will be able to enjoy booze at home, just like smokers after the ban, but with no booze in pubs/clubs/public places, there would be fewer drunken brawls, and it would save money on NHS and police costs too.

So if they're going to ban smoking in pubs, then why not ban alcohol in pubs too?