G PILKINGTON (Letters, April 4) asks why all the fuss because a cigarette firm is closing down - when smoking is harmful.

I suppose there is an element of harm in having ordinance factories, nuclear power stations and chemical plants.

They all have one thing in common - they provide jobs for thousands of people.

In an ideal world, we could replace them with something more evironmentally friendly. But don't hold your breath.

F BILLINGTON (MR), East Crescent, Accrington.

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