The smoking ban has done a fine job of allowing
non-smokers to go out and socialise in clean air,
before the ban was introduced there were too few
non-smoking pubs. Now we have gone too far in the
other direction, the backlash has universally forced
smokers out into the cold and forced some businesses
to close where previously their business was mostly
to smoking customers. Not to mention the loss of
personal freedom.
By allowing a limited number of smoking licenses to be given out by local councils the government can restrict how many smoking establishments there are to ensure that public health is considered appropriately while still giving the owners of pubs and clubs freedom to allow people to smoke on their property.
It is the perfect compromise, allowing business owners to decide how to run their businesses and customers to weigh up health risks for themselves. Those who abhor smoking can have a nice evening out, so can those who enjoy it.