Sir, - I am sorry that Kevin Myers (An Irishman's Diary, November 28th) was subjected to such hurtful language after remonstrating with a smoker in a Dublin bus. Similar problems are encountered on the DART. I have been abused by smokers when I have pointed to "No Smoking" signs in carriages. It has not helped to have a recognisably English voice.
On two occasions I alighted at the next station, ran to the front of the train, and asked the driver to announce over the loudspeaker that smoking in DART trains was forbidden. There was a droll pleasure in seeing consternation on the faces of some of the offenders as I stood on the platform while the train drew out. - Yours, etc.,
Prof George Huxley, Dublin 2.