In the debate with Simon Chapman, Chris Snowdon argues that proposals to introduce a licence shows the extreme nature of many anti-smoking lobbyists and would be a further encroachment by the nanny state.  Smokers should not have to jump through hoops and pay for a licence to do something that is within their rights. The proposal also fails to recognise that licences are not created to deter people but to ensure that people have the right technical competencies. The government should not be taking further actions to deter smoking. 

You can listen to his interview here (from 23mins 54 secs in).