The changes will make smoking within four metres of a school, kindergarten, childcare centre, hospital or medical centre illegal.

Smokers will also be banned from lighting up near government buildings and courts, while it's already illegal to smoke near a playground or train station.

But despite all the changes, smoking remains legal in outdoor cafes restaurants and bars.

A Google search shows the debate about how far Victoria sits behind other states in regards to banning smoking stretches back many years.

The question is why?

No one wants to stop a person's right to smoke - it's their life and their call on how they want to treat their body.

But the crux of this argument is that smoke from cigarettes is dangerous to others and in the world in which we now live you can't take such a risk.

Health risks aside, cigarette smoke is just unpleasant to non-smokers who should be entitled to enjoy a lunch or dinner out without having to put up with such things.

Time the state government realises the smoking/outdoor dining argument is out of puff.

Rod Case, editor