Madam, - Desmond Fennell (April 12th) laments the "persecution" of Irish smokers, and much prefers the more liberal attitude of our European neighbours. He also asserts that the smoking ban in effect is unjustified without full statistical backing.
I am a smoker, and have been since the age of 14. I would not consider myself a heavy smoker (usually fewer than 10 a day) but, even so, my consumption of nicotine has dropped significantly since the smoking ban was introduced. In particular, I no longer need to send out a search party for my lungs after spending the evening in the pub.
I have also had two periods of illness in the past year, both chest infections. The first was after returning from Egypt, where European brands average approximately €1.10 and almost everyone smokes everywhere. The number of cigarettes I smoke tripled for three weeks.
The second illness was after returning from the Czech Republic where the cost of cigarettes is approximately €2. Again my smoking tripled for a week. This is not not statistical or scientific evidence, but it seemed convincing to me.
In case your readers haven't guessed, I am 100 per cent in favour of the ban on smoking in public places. I am also in favour of banning the drug altogether, as I'm beginning to get the sinking feeling that this is the only way I will ever be able to stop smoking permanently. - Yours, etc.,
LAURENCE CLEARY, Palmerstown Avenue, Dublin 20.