ANY businesses planning to collude in the "bash the smoker" orgy, better known as No Smoking Day (March 10) would be advised to think again.

Such attacks upon the rights of adult smokers are not only an unwarranted interference in people's private lives, but prove troublesome for those concerned.

Smoking restrictions are resented not only by smokers but also millions of tolerant non-smokers. For example, non-smoking restaurants have had to reverse policies after non-smokers refused to make bookings because their friends weren't allowed to smoke.

Better by far for organisations to explore ways in which smokers and non-smokers can be accommodated equally.

MARTIN BALL,

campaigns director, FOREST.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.