FINALLY a landlord in this area has the guts to ban smoking (Stub it out, November 30).

I visited three pubs in York last Saturday (something I only do on the rare occasion because of smoke fumes). The air quality in all three establishments was horrendous and next day I had a sore throat and my clothes stank.

Smoking is unpleasant, unsociable and it kills. Forget segregated areas - smoke travels.

It's a pity our Government hasn't the guts to ban smoking throughout all licensed premises (a vote loser?) as recommended by the medical authorities. That's not bringing in a nanny state, it's common sense.

I will be visiting the Blue Bell at Alne very soon and I wish the couple all the success in this venture. Hopefully more pubs will follow suit. Should you do so many non-smokers like myself will return (it's the minority that smoke).

John Booth,

Whitehouse Gardens,

York.

Updated: 09:50 Thursday, December 02, 2004