I WAS interested in your report on a proposed ban on smoking in public places (March 3).

I live in Ballarat in Australia and we have had a smoking ban for a few years now.

Smoking is banned in restaurants, public and private buildings, workplaces and the Melbourne cricket ground.

The state government is looking to expand the legislation and impose a ban on smoking in hotel bars. This will actually become legislation in South Australia in 2006. The bans have not affected restaurant trade, in fact business has improved.

I am an ex-pat and, although I have lived in Australia for 27 years, I still miss York. So I thank the Evening Press for its great web site.

James Kendall,

Landsborough Street,

Ballarat,

Victoria,

Australia.

Updated: 10:42 Friday, March 12, 2004