Madam, - The Minister for the Environment's opposition to the proposed smoking ban appals me. If this was the 19th century, would he be campaigning for the retention of children working in the mines on the basis that it would keep urchins off the streets?
I've no doubt that future generations will view public smoking in the 20th century in the same way that we now look back on practices which were acceptable in the 19th century but are now viewed with abhorrence. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID JORDAN, Grangebrook Avenue, Dublin 16.
Madam, - I know I am not alone in being disappointed with Minister Cullen's remarks yesterday on the proposed smoking ban. If there was a company pumping carcinogenic gases into the air around Dublin he would surely be first on the case to see it banned.
His remarks about the American-style political correctness were absurd. The most important issue here is health, not whether or not Mr Cullen will still be able to enjoy a cigarette in his local pub.
I applaud Micheál Martin for his campaign against smoking and urge him to remain uncompromising in defence of health. - Yours, etc.,
GERRY BRESLIN, Steevens Gate, James Street, Dublin 8.
Madam, - David Gibbs (August 11th) asks: "Are there not more important things for our legislators to worry about?" Of course there are. Unfortunately, the really serious matters, such as the teetering economy and health service, are totally beyond this government's competence, whereas a smoking ban is a very simple concept for it to grasp. - Yours, etc.,
RICHARD D. BARTON, Tinahely, Co Wicklow.