No smoking

sir – It is interesting that the Government has rejected a tax on sugar and salt on the grounds that it smacks of the “nanny state”.

This, of course, is the same Government that is proposing to ban tobacco sales to individuals born after a certain year (report, June 10).

It is good to know that logic is not interfering with important decisionmaking.

Alan Honeyman

Scarborough, North Yorkshire

sir – Not one understanding or compassionate voice is raised for smokers. For lonely people it might be the only treat they afford themselves; for a soldier in battle the only respite to look forward to; for sailors a brief relief over months away from home. Camilla Coats-carr

Teddington, Middlesex