'The Smoke Police' by Eric Layman

This is a poem I found whilst researching the up and coming smoking ban in the UK, and the talks of undercover police men taking control of smokers. It is written by Eric Layman who believe in the freedom of speech, he is a member of the 'Forest' organisations which has the motto, 'A haven for smokers and non smokers who believe in freedom of choice.'

Lyrics to 'The Smoke Police'

The undercover smoke police,
the ferrets for tobacco:
will they make a busybody cause
into a city cash cow?

Undercover smoke police
skulk in holes and corners:
they do not warn you openly
like a cop in uniform does.

If you can't afford a separate room,
don't let your patrons smoke:
someone might snitch, and the powers that be
will fine you till you're broke.

Who knows if they will ask to smoke,
thus hoping to entrap you?
Who knows if they'll just sit and look,
then with a summons slap you?

The undercover smoke police,
and others of their flavor:
'for your own good' is what they say,
as inchwise they enslave you.

So vote the nanny state from power,
and put it out to pasture;
a grown-up doesn't want or need
a meddler for a master.

Copyright © Eric Layman, 2001