Sir, – It is hard to believe anyone, including The Irish Times, would think the tobacco companies mentioned in The Irish Times Top 1,000 Companies (Supplement, June 22nd) are in fact a “top company”. There was no ethical lens used in compiling the list. All these tobacco companies (JTI Ireland, John Player and PJ Carroll – BAT Ireland) are involved in the manufacture, distribution, marketing, and selling of combustible tobacco products which are designed to make addicts of their users. All users of these products will become ill because of their smoking, necessitating multiple GP visits and hospital attendances, and two-thirds of regular smokers will be killed by their smoking. – Yours, etc,
Dr FENTON HOWELL,
Drogheda,
Co Louth.