‘Smoking rates rise in pandemic’

Sir, – Your article on a slight rise in Irish smoking rates says nothing that wasn’t to be expected (“Smoking rates rise in pandemic after years of decline”, News, May 31st).

During the pandemic lockdown, all vaping shops were shut while traditional tobacconists traded freely.

Only when the HSE recognises that thousands of smokers have managed to stop smoking thanks to vaping and then encourage it will smoking rates fall further.

However, this is unlikely to happen due to the mindset among Irish anti-tobacco activists that continues to advocate nicotine replacement therapy in the form of inhalers, but not e-cigarettes. – Yours, etc,

Matt Williams: Ross Byrne rising to Leinster challenge could help Ireland hit heights in South Africa

---

‘We take everyone we can’: the Ukrainians bringing Russian bodies off the battlefield

---

‘Jesus Christ, the doors are locked’: The full story of the Stardust fire, with new testimony

---

Family affairs: How Ireland’s newly rich are putting money to work in secretive firms

---

Dr JOHN MADDEN,

Carndonagh,

Co Donegal.