Nanny State wants to require license to buy tobacco

I came across this article in the times today that says UK health ministers are proposing a plan to require smokers to obtain a license to purchase tobacco products. From the article:

The permit, which could cost as little as £10 a year, will include the smoker’s photograph and would need to be presented to the retailer every time the smoker bought tobacco. Holders of permits could also have to get a declaration signed by their GP that their health was not at “massive risk” from their habit before the licence was issued.

To me this just seems like the height of the "Nanny State". It's one thing to ban smoking in public, it makes sense that people should have the right to breathe clean air, but you have to draw the line somewhere. At some point Government has to trust the people who allow it to govern them.