For the past several years, I've told you that the smoking ban was not about health but about property rights. The government is telling people what they can and cannot do with their private property. No where is that more evident than in Ireland, where U2's Bono can't even light up in his own bar.

The singer, real name Paul Hewson, was spotted lighting up during a late-night bash in the plush Tea Room restaurant of the Clarence Hotel, which he and fellow U2 mates own.

"It was the wee small hours. I was in the company of people from out of town who didn't know about the ban and for a moment nor did I," newspapers quoted Bono as saying on Friday.

"I was quickly reminded by the staff and a few friends. I apologized then and I apologize now."

These types of policies are being adopted all over the United States. Business owners are a minority, so voters and politicians don't pay them much heed when they vote to strip away their property rights. Today, bar owners cannot smoke in their own bar, but soon the reach of the pleasure police could be coming into people's homes. In Georgia, they have already been toying with the idea of banning smoking in cars where children are present. And of course the next step is to ban smoking in homes where children are present (or employees if you have a maid or manservant).

Of course the intent of smoking laws is to "protect" the employees from harm. Apparently in the restaurant industry people are forced into servitude. That must be the case, because otherwise an employee bothered by smoking would simply find another job. Personally, I think Bono should have fired the guy. In fact, how about firing everyone for 10 minutes while he enjoys his smoke and then rehiring them after he's done.