Letter: No smoke without taxes - the case against prohibition

Sir: Ought a civilised society really to desire that its leaders proscribe certain private activities of its citizens? There is nothing "dishonest" (leading article, 20 May) about a government banning the promotion in public of activities likely to cause harm to individuals whilst also recognising the right of individuals to do unto themselves as they please.

It is to be hoped that our descendants will not be "completely bemused that a government in the 1990s" strove to balance its own responsibility to inform the public with each individual's rights, which a forward-looking society must never neglect.

DAMIAN STAFFORD

London E16