Madam, - Harry Davies (January 7th) writes that "it has not been proven that second-hand smoke is harmful". This is untrue.
The World Health Organisation has listed passive smoke as a class one cancer-causing carcinogen. Class one carcinogens kill people when inhaled. The position of the WHO on this issue is supported by all relevant health bodies, in Ireland and elsewhere.
Mr Davies also derides the Minister for Health for wanting us to believe that cigarettes are "weapons of mass destruction".
As tobacco contributes to the deaths of up to 7,000 Irish citizens each year, perhaps cigarettes should indeed be described in those terms. - Yours, etc.,
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VALERIE COGHLAN, Administrator, ASH Ireland, Northumberland Road, Dublin 4.