THE powers-that-be are so concerned about the effects of smoking they want to produce images of smoking-related ailments on cigarette packets.

So let us rewind a few years.

I can remember adverts for cigarettes on the TV, in newspapers, magazines and on huge billboards. Not anymore, this space has been taken up by adverts for chocolate bars, junk food, alcohol and fizzy drinks.

We are told cigarettes are bad for your health, so advertising them was banned.

We are told junk food, alcohol and fizzy drinks are bad for us - but they are still allowed to advertise. This is a case of double standards.

My motto in life is simple: death awaits us all, even if you don't smoke.

PR Willey,

Burnholme Drive,

Heworth,

York.

Updated: 09:56 Friday, February 20, 2004