THE announcement of the smoking ban in North Yorkshire hospitals and their grounds (February 3) is taking things a step too far.

I used to smoke, and now I don't. The smell is abhorrent to me. However, I defend the right of anyone who wishes to smoke. Yes, it's smelly, dirty and harmful, but in reality people do smoke cigarettes.

Where else would the Government get so much money in taxes (apart from the motorist)?

Have the people who decided on this action taken into account the stress that patients are under by just having to be in hospital?

If their right to have a cigarette outside the building is withdrawn, there is a danger they will find a hidey-hole somewhere, thus creating a fire hazard.

Even worse, they may refuse to go into hospital and put themselves in mortal danger.

As for the staff, no one would want to be treated by someone who is short-tempered merely because they are not allowed to step outside the building for a few minutes for a cigarette.

Can we expect to see a convoy of patients in their nightwear pushing each other in wheelchairs, or hobbling along with their drip-stands to get outside the grounds so they can smoke?

People are sensible enough to know they can't smoke in the hospital building, that's fair enough. But outside, where's the harm in that, except to themselves?

Janet S Kitchen,

Ashley Park Road, York.

Updated: 11:20 Monday, February 07, 2005