16/03/06

As for his assertion on the 2,000 who die each year from passive smoking (it was 1,000 the last time I heard the figures) can they say for sure that it was passive smoking that killed them, or simply one of the causes.

The most likely cause would have been the fumes from traffic we have to endure each day of our lives.

If the Government and others are so concerned with our health and particularly that of those who smoke, why don't they stop the sale of tobacco in this country and make smoking illegal?

At the same time clean up this traffic pollution which, without a doubt, is the main killer when it comes to respiratory problems.

Has it got something to do with the car being a must and banning smoking will be robbing the Chancellor of a golden egg?

As far as pubs and clubs are concerned, if the landlord wishes to allow smokers then it is up to non-smoking staff to find a non-smoking pub.

Instead, arrogant people wish to impose their annoyance on someone else. That is the crux of his argument and it stinks. - John Young, Crook.

TAIL DOCKING

TAIL docking of dogs is a cruel and unnecessary mutilation. The pro-docking lobby are claiming that shooting dogs must be docked in case they damage their tails in thick cover. However, anecdotal evidence is equally available of gundog owners with undocked working dogs that have never suffered tail injuries.

It is important to look at the scientific evidence. A survey of 12,129 dogs by Edinburgh University showed no evidence that docking prevented injury, indeed it sometimes caused it.

In contrast, none of the studies cited by proponents of docking have been scientific or peer reviewed. In fact most come from groups seeking to continue docking in the face of moves to ban it.

The bottom line is that if a vet deems it a therapeutic necessity to remove a dog's tail following injury, then that is acceptable. What is not acceptable is amputating a healthy appendage - 'just in case'.

Visit www.vetsagainst docking.co.uk to sign an on-line petition. - Name and address supplied.

NATALLIE EVANS

THE sad case of Natallie Evans (Echo, Mar 8) suggests that, for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the emphasis is very much on the 'authority' rather than the 'human'.

This is an organisation that never offers advice to patients when it can issue them with a directive instead. The role of the HFEA appears to be to standardise and deny choice.

The terms of a relationship or arrangement between two people should normally be set by mutual agreement. Only rarely can it be justified for others to impose these terms.

Clearly, a man helping to produce an embryo must have the right to withdraw his consent at least until he hands over his sperm sample. Equally clearly, he cannot retain this right of veto after the embryo has been transferred into the woman.

There may be days or years between these two steps. There is no necessarily correct moment within this time for control to pass exclusively to the woman. We should let the man and woman negotiate and make a prior written agreement about when this is to happen.

It would then be true to say that the woman has the right of control from the earliest point, but may choose to make some concession to reach agreement. Equally, the man holds this right until the latest time but may waive it for a deal to be struck.

Some may object that this leaves people under pressure to give up their rights. But that is the situation we find ourselves in all the time. We are entitled to keep our own money, but hand it over in order to receive goods we want. As free men and women we can't be forced to work, but do so to get paid. - John Riseley, Harrogate.

TEACHINGS

APPARENTLY there is an insidious rise in evangelical influences in our schools.

These misguided individuals believe, or say they do, in the literal interpretation of the Bible.

They say our world was created in seven days and, like those who thought the earth was flat, they believe the totally unbelievable.

If teachers of our children can believe in creationism who knows what other madcap ideas they may plant into innocent minds. However democratic our society may be, I would in all seriousness ban from our schools those teachers who may wish to poison the minds of our children against the proven historical proof of evolution spread over millions of years. - Hugh Pender, Darlington.

DISABLED TOILETS

ONCE again I went to use the disabled toilets in Darlington's Cornmill centre and guess what?

Yes, you got it. I could not use them. Why? Because there are no toilets, just something for changing babies.

This is going beyond a joke now in the Cornmill. When is the management going to get its act together in that place? And if anyone says use East Row, let me say this one more time.

Why should I have to double back on myself to use something that has been blocked off or use another lot of toilets that stink to high heaven? - Stephen Beaton, Darlington.

THANK YOU

I WAS very impressed by the service in Sainsbury's in Darlington yesterday. I was shopping and wasn't feeling very good.

I called at the pharmacy and was looked after really well. The staff were full of smiles and really helpful.

The pharmacist was very kind and he told me exactly what I needed. You made me feel much better. Thank you. - P James, Darlington.

GHOST SHIPS

ONCE again the madcap opera of the so-called ghost ships rolls on.

The just and the good of our region scratch their heads and set up another committee and arrange another meeting.

More acres of newsprint is reeled out. What finally happens cannot be described as a snap decision.

They are simply old ships ready for the breaker's yard, something the North-East has been doing without problem for centuries.

The suggestion that they be returned to America with the message 'We Don't Want Your Rubbish', fills me with shame.

Within my memory ships from America were arriving filled with desperately needed food, arms and ammunition. I can't remember any cries of 'Go Back, Go Back' in those dark days.

Send them back - a fine way of saying thank you.

Lose all the work and materials associated with the ship industry - I hope not.

Let the do-gooders stand aside and the real men get on with the job. - Peter Robinson, Wingate.