Yesterday, Illinois officially became a smoke-free state. Well, when it comes to public buildings at least.

The ban, which took effect on New Year's day, made it illegal to smoke in almost every public place within the state. Will laws force people to stop smoking where medical products and patches have failed? Doubtful -- addicted smokers will seek out anywhere they can to smoke a cig or two.

With smoking bans becoming more popular everywhere across the world, wouldn't it just be easier to quit? For some, yes. For others, the pleasure of sliding that cigarette onto one's lips is just overpowering. Pity.