SO the trade unions do not wish to see tobacco company representatives discussing their products with Bolton Council.

First of all, this is a question of freedom of choice, not a union matter.

Secondly, if the unions are so keen to see Bolton and other places become smoke-free, then they should also persuade their master and mentor, Tony Blair, to forfeit the massive taxes he collects from cigarette sales, or at least spend some of it on health care and not wars in far-off places.

Like anything else, smoking is a "take it or leave it" matter. I personally do not like football, but I do not call for its ban, even though it is the direct cause of much violence, hooliganism and even death, and passive smoking is another one of these "in" things to say, like Weapons of Mass Destruction, whereas most people have no idea what it really means. I do.

Dr G C Gibson

Czech Republic