Smoking ban will hit Labour

You report that the pub trade has been devastated by the smoking ban and people are now stopping at home (Star, September 6, Page 1).

I know of many who smoked in pubs, but as with alcohol, never indulged in front of their children. So now the ban, intended to "improve health", will hit youngsters breathing in parents' smoke at home, and starting them on the habit.

The anger, collectively of smokers, is likely to lose Mr Brown the next election, if the Conservatives now say they would reverse the ban and allow freedom of choice to landlords.

As a non-smoker, I nevertheless request the right of others to smoke in pubs if they wish, and the ridiculous situation with dozens of people clustering under gas or electric patio heaters outside, whilst bars are completely empty is total nonsense. Energy is being wasted on a massive scale to heat the open air.

So smokers, write to your MP, demanding the ban be lifted and tell them where your cross will be unless they listen to common sense.

Mr W F Kerswell, Picklescott