I AM sure that as campaign director of FOREST, Martin Ball (Your Letters, July 30) is more familiar with smoking statistics than I.

For example, can he tell us how much of every £10 spent on smoking is (a) tobacco tax, and (b) VAT, both of which go to the Government? I have the idea that it is around £8 - or is it more? The rest goes to the rich tobacco barons, mostly in America.

I would encourage readers to obtain a copy of Mr Ball's "Free Choice" magazine. It will pose the question: "To smoke or not to smoke?". You can then stick two fingers up at the "Nanny State" (the Government) . . . but will it tell you the alternative? What will it cost? How easy will it be to change your mind? What are the odds of developing asthma, or some form of heart disease or circulation problem, or cancer before you are 60? What will be the effects on your children, particularly if you are female.

Finally, may I ask who subsidises the cost of printing "Free Choice", Mr Ball? It doesn't all come out of your pocket, does it?

GEOFF WILSON,

Wellfield Close, Bury.

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