Madam, - J.K. Brennan (March 20th) has missed the point of the smoking ban. The intent of the new law is to protect non-smokers from "stupid, irresponsible and anti-social" people who force non-consenting strangers to share their filthy habit.
The suggestion that the Government should ban tobacco outright is not a logical alternative, since it is possible to consume tobacco without adverse health or social effects on anyone but the smoker.
A better suggestion: the public health services should refuse to treat smokers for smoking-related illnesses. The cost savings could then be used to clear hospital waiting lists of patients with medical conditions that weren't self-inflicted. - Yours, etc.,
MARTIN BOERS, Pollrankin, Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford.