I REFER to the article in the Citizen, October 28, about the proposal to ban smoking in parts of Preston.

I work in a cafe in Preston city centre.

We have a large smoking area right opposite the kitchen and I get really affected by smoking, especially when I have to clean the smoking area, while people are smoking 'in my face', I'm sorry to say.

The smoke makes me cough, which is not acceptable in a catering environment, and it disgusts me when I have to wash the ashtrays.

Another thing I cannot understand is when smoking tables are near non-smoking ones. Who do they think they are?

I have seen customers in our cafe walking out due to the smoke going into the non-smoking area.

In some restaurants smokers are more welcome than breast-feeding mothers.

What kind of priorities do we have here? The hungry baby has to wait until their mum can find some uncomfortable privacy to feed him/her while smokers are welcomed.

I cannot ever understand the need to smoke while you are eating. The horrible smell puts you off the food.

Businesses are seriously mistaken if they think they will attract more customers by providing smoking areas, because they are losing some non-smokers. In my opinion smoking should be banned in cafes and restaurants.

Non-smokers have no choice but to inhale the fumes

I would prefer to have a few no-smoking pubs and clubs in Preston.

I hope the ban on smoking in public places issue will be treated by the city councillors as a very important issue.

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