Sir, - Surely a cigarette is a greater distraction to a driver than a mobile phone. Thankfully, I do not smoke, but the many drivers that I see smoking seem to me to be operating with several distractions. First, a cigarette must be extracted from the packet. Second, it must be set fire to. Third, I imagine that it cannot remain between the lips for the whole of its life, and must be moved temporarily to the ash-tray. Fourth, is it certain that the distraction of having to deal with a falling piece of glowing tobacco will not occur? Fifth, there is the effect on the eyes of the smoke from the glowing end of the cigarette. Sixth, the growing discomfort of thickening atmosphere, particularly on a cold or wet day when windows must be shut.
Perhaps there is a greater danger of erratic driving if the smoker is denied the comfort of a cigarette when his (common gender) nerves begin to jangle! If so, I withdraw my list with apologies. There could of course be a similar danger caused by withdrawal symptoms if a habitual mobile phone user is denied the comfort of the instrument, so maybe he (c.g.) should be allowed his (c.g.) fix too. - Yours, etc.,
Glendalough, Co Wicklow.