THE stench of tobacco fumes is offensive and dangerous, but Birmingham City's Council's plans to crack down on smokers has an unpleasant odour, too.
A hundred snoops are being trained to patrol public places, handing out instant fines when the smoking ban comes into force in July.
They will operate undercover, filming and photographing smokers to gather evidence.
This is reminiscent of Eastern Europe before the Iron Curtain fell.
The smoking ban is worthy, but these tactics are heavy-handed. A softly-softly approach is the way to change attitudes.