Madam, - The utter hypocrisy of it all. Smoking is now officially categorised among the most dangerous substances, akin to asbestos, the experts say. There is no tolerable level of exposure in enclosed spaces.
The proposed solution is to ban it in the workplace. Exposure for a few hours a day is not tolerable for, for example, bar workers; yet infants and children in the home can be exposed all day to this deadly killer without any controls on such exposure!
The only possible reaction to this most dangerous substance is to ban the import and sale of all tobacco products. That would be both the most efficient, appropriate and effective response. - Yours, etc.,
RAY DOLLARD, College Green, Summerhill, Wexford.
Madam, - It would appear that the only outcome of the Ministerial ban on smoking among consenting adults will be to create "stay-at-home smokers" who will pollute the lungs of those around them, including children, who have no choice but to be at home.
Very few hardened smokers will ban the activity in the last place left for them to go. - Yours etc.,
STEPHEN MOORE, Ballybrack, Co Dublin.