Letter: Tobacco bans

Sir: Never mind cannabis. There's a much more important issue. The number of young women who smoke tobacco is truly depressing.

The most dispiriting aspect of being in any pub or club is having to watch so many pretty girls subjecting themselves to this most protracted method of self-mutilation. It isn't clever, it isn't sophisticated and it most certainly isn't sexy.

It's time for men to speak up and declare that we'd rather not share our lives with a living, breathing ashtray, no matter what other charms she may possess. Male celebrities could be leading the way. Unless we start becoming more vociferous, the fashion for smoking among women will never be broken.

PHIL SMITH

Rugby, Warwickshire