YOUR report about Bradley Agar's fine (February 14) shows that this council has gone power mad. Its comment that a lack of cigarette bins "would not wash" is plainly totally ridiculous.

If it is not prepared to provide the necessary receptacles, what are smokers supposed to do - set fire to ordinary litter bins, then get a fine for arson? Smokers are being forced outside to smoke and this council is not providing them with the wherewithal to dispose of butts. Lunacy.

There was an incident in Acomb last year where a pensioner was fined for the same thing and it was stated that cigarette bins would be forthcoming - well, where are they?

York is awash with litter, from bottles to fast food wrappers - and yet they say that the number of fines issued to smokers is significant. Do these petty people walk around with their eyes closed or are they just too intimidated to tackle the large number of school children, students and foreign visitors who hourly throw their rubbish on our historic streets?

This council has already shown how out of touch it is with York residents in last year's parking restrictions fiasco. I just hope it remembers we are the ones who put them in office and we are the ones who will take them out - smokers and non-smokers alike.

Mrs Judith Morris,

Moorland Road,

Fulford, York.

Updated: 10:13 Thursday, February 17, 2005