Health Fascism again

I have blogged regularly about this Labour governments fascist tendencies and I see from Devils Kitchen commentary on this article from The Independent, that Professor Julian Le Grand, chair of Health England and a former senior Downing Street aide to Tony Blair, said a completely fresh approach was required by Government to reverse the epidemic of obesity and to tackle similar ills caused by "excess consumption" In a speech to the Royal Statistical Society last night, Professor Le Grand said instead of requiring people to make healthy choices – by giving up smoking, taking more exercise and eating less salt – policies should be framed so the healthy option is automatic and people have to choose deliberately to depart from it.

"Among his suggestions are a proposal for a smoking permit, which smokers would have to produce when buying cigarettes, an "exercise hour" to be provided by all large companies for their employees and a ban on salt in processed food."
A permit to smoke, exercise hours and a "ban" on salt in processed food, very "Yes Commissar".

"The idea, dubbed "libertarian paternalism", reverses the traditional government approach that requires individuals to opt in to healthy schemes."
How can this be libertarian? Paternalistic definitely, fascist more like.

"On smoking, he said permits could be issued annually and the signature of a doctor might even be needed. This would require individuals to "opt-in" each year to being a smoker, rather than "opting out" by choosing to give up."
I hate the smell of cigarette smoke and used to go out of my way to avoid smoky atmospheres but this is a measure too far. Are we to be allowed any freedoms, other than the freedom to vote Labour?

"Sellers of tobacco from supermarkets to tobacconists would have to see the permit before any sale. To get a permit would involve filling out a form and supplying a photograph as well as paying the required fee. Permits would only be issued to those over 18 and evidence of age would have to be provided. The money raised for the permits would go to the NHS."
"Paying the required fee", it all comes down to money with this Labour government doesn't it. Tax, tax, tax all the live long day.

I am actually finding it hard to envisage any tax raising, freedom reducing policy that this government would not introduce.