Letter: Ban that would harm smokers

Letter: Ban that would harm smokers

Clive Bates, director of Ash, quotes from a survey that 69 per cent of smokers wish to give up (Letters, 23 November). The same survey asked when they intended giving up; 69 per cent said they had no intention of doing so within the next 12 months or ever.

For Mr Bates to claim that he understands smokers' "interests" is arrogant and ignorant. His organisation's demand for a ban on all forms of tobacco advertising, including direct mail to known smokers, would remove any incentive for companies to invest in the develop- ment of the smokeless cigarette, or lower tar and nicotine brands. No one would be able to find out about them, let alone switch to using them. Never again would tobacco companies face competition from new products or manufacturers, for no one would be able to inform smokers of their existence. Such a state of affairs would ultimately benefit the tobacco companies while removing a basic consumer right from anyone who smokes - that of being able to obtain information about a product they buy.

Marjorie Nicholson

Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco, London SW1