I HOPE you were writing with your tongue in your cheek when you described your remarkable comments on smoke-free pubs as "considered and balanced".

I think smokers should be free to smoke as much as they like, provided they can arrange for others nearby not to have to breathe their smoke too. As for denying people NHS treatment, for smoking, or for not smoking, that's ridiculous. All of us that are able pay for the NHS, so that everyone can benefit, regardless of individual lifestyles. I must admit, I hate going into a smoke filled pub, and I don't think the concept of a non smoking pub is extreme, after all the are plenty of pubs - or are you worried that if the idea turned out to be popular, you would be further marginalised?

Simon Barnes, Morecambe

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