The introduction of the smoking ban in England last Sunday proved manna from heaven for Rainbow Safety, a manufacturer of No Smoking signs.

The Wolverhampton-based company says orders have swelled from 500 a month to 8,500 as businesses scramble to avoid the £200 fine they'll incur for not putting up signs.

Rainbow Safety MD Darren Taylor said this week, with more than a hint of glee: "It is estimated that the smoking ban will cost businesses £50m to implement. Legislation represents fantastic news for our business."

Bogof wonders if the thousands of small retailers buckling under the weight of the rapidly-expanding regulatory burden would see it quite the same way.

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