Madam, - Mr Martin Cullen's comments suggest that political opposition to the smoking ban is beginning to increase. Mr Cullen believes its part of an American "political correctness" drive. However, I think a number of points need to be made on behalf of the overwhelming body of people who don't smoke.
Firstly, nothing about smoking is innately Irish. Nor is smoking part of the Irish so-called "craic", as Mr Cullen seems to allude to. To hear him speak one would think having poor health and imposing it on others is part of being Irish.
I'm not a believer in the tyranny of the majority but in this case it has to apply. Seventy per cent of people don't smoke. A modern tolerant society is one thing so long as my tolerance of your individual preferences does not lead to harm for me or others. Less than one third of the population have all the right in the world to inflict physical suffering upon themselves, but not on the rest of us. This is called having responsibility for the rights you are given. Sadly, too many people forget that rights bear responsibility to others. - Yours, etc.,
BARRY HAZEL,
Mangerton Road,
Dublin 12.
Madam, - It looks as if the current Fianna Fáil Government is going up in smoke! - Yours, etc.,
Fr DOMINIC JOHNSON OSB,
Glenstal Abbey,
Murroe,
Co Limerick.