MOST smokers I know are amiable, mild-mannered, hardworking, tax-paying individuals who probably started smoking in a less informed, less politically correct era.

A time when not only was smoking not frowned upon, it was positively de rigueur. A time when a Strand or menthol cigarette was as cool as a mountain stream, according to the advertisements.

Smokers tend to be law-abiding people who do not go out mugging old people or shoplifting to support their habit, as in heroin abuse. Nor do they binge drink and then batter some unfortunate passer-by unconscious after a night on the town.

So I object to some holier-than-thou non-smoker such as Jen Williams (Letters, February 11), who probably wastes her money on something else, telling me how to waste mine.

And does W Elliot, who calls smokers selfish polluters of the atmosphere, own a car? People in glasshouses comes to mind.

I would not dream of smoking in other people's houses or cars or while they eat. I agree that smoking is not a good thing to do, but I defend the smoker's right not to be vilified and told they are dirty, smelly, unclean and all the other accusations thrown their way.

Heroin and alcohol abuse cause far more trouble.

Mrs W Carter,

Marston Crescent,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 09:35 Wednesday, February 16, 2005