The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan has recently passed a nationwide smoking ban. Bhutan, one of the most isolated nations in the world, is also generally considered to boast one of the happiest populations due to the overriding policy of pursuing "Gross National Happiness" rather than "Gross National Product".

Smoking continues to be a big problem in most South-East Asian populations including that of Bhutan. So, in order to solve the problem the government has decided to simply pass a smoking ban. Smoking will not be allowed in public and selling tobacco will also be outlawed. Anyone caught smoking will be fined over $200, which represents roughly tow months' salary.

Given the size of the fine, this should be an effective deterrent and most Bhutanians are taking the tough new stance in their stride. They seem to be accepting that the days of smoking are now finished. "If you can't get it, you can't smoke it," says Tshewang Dendup, who works for Bhutan's only broadcaster. Others however are less than happy and complain about the restriction of personal freedom of choice: "There is something called personal rights that should be upheld. Educate rather than force or impose."

Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Bhutan's former king was the country's visionary and internationally highly controversial leader. The king aligned policies in his country along the unconventional guidelines of pursuing "Gross National Happiness" rather than more objectively measurable aims. Foreign travel was until recently not really an option either inward or outward and television has only recently introduced and is tightly controlled.

While from a western perspective the Bhutan's philosophy seem authoritarian and restrictive, there is some evidence that the population itself is indeed "happy".