All laws are dependent on the extent to which the state is able to enforce them. If the state fails to police society adequately, lawlessness prevails and the public's wellbeing is compromised. Today we report that tavern owners, mainly in our townships, have accused Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi of killing their businesses by proposing new smoking regulations.On the table are a number of proposals by Motsoaledi that would ban smoking in taverns, pubs or any other drinking hole.Smoking would not be allowed within 10m of a door, walkway or window of the tavern.These measures might seem harsh, especially when you take into consideration the space that some of these outlets operate in. But it is worrying when proposed laws meant to improve the health of our people are attacked solely on the basis of a threat to profits.Tavern owners have argued that the proposed law is unrealistic because the properties they use for their businesses are in such close proximity to each other, making the 10m requirement impossible to implement.Gauteng Liquor Forum president Linda Madida argues that properties in the township of Alexandra, northern Johannesburg, are less than 2m apart and the government's proposals would kill their businesses."This is not the right time to impose new rules which make it harder for township businesses to create jobs," Madida said."We will not accept these regulations. They are unworkable and ridiculous and will have a very bad impact on our second economy in the townships."Although we understand the tavern owners' anger, we must ask whether profits should be allowed to trump the health rights of the majority?We should also be concerned about the rising medical costs related to smoking and drinking...