HOW I agree with David Rhodes (Letters, November 17).

I have never wanted to smoke in my life, but defend those who wish to.

We are now surrounded by far too many rules; people should be free to follow their own inclination without being castigated.

So long as nobody else is affected, where is the harm?

My sister has always been a heavy smoker; she started when she was in her early teens. My husband was brought up in a home where both his parents were heavy smokers, but he never adopted the habit.

Personally, I think smoking is expensive, unattractive and, probably, unhealthy.

However, many people are unhealthy who have never smoked at all.

People make their own rules, irrespective of what goes on around them, and surely they should be allowed to do so without fear of do-gooders shouting about possible dangers.

People do themselves no favours by over-eating and/or over-drinking, but there seems to be no rules against these habits and surely the results are just as damaging.

Heather Causnett, Escrick Park Gardens, Escrick, York.