SHOULD smoking in a car when a child is present become illegal we must fervently hope that the law is administered more effectively than that which bans the use of a mobile telephone while driving.

Peter Elliott, Eaglescliffe.

I AM a 75-year-old woman. I live alone, have worked all my life in the service of others. I claim no benefits, pay my bills, am friendly, outgoing and true to my religious beliefs.

I have never broken the law (not even a parking ticket) and stand up for the rights of the underdog.

However, I am a very wicked woman. Why? Because I smoke.

Not cannabis, just plain ordinary cigarettes.

I smoke only in my own home, which I keep clean and tidy, and have my windows open every day.

I am not in perfect health, but rarely visit my doctor because he is busy enough without me pestering him and, anyway, my complaints are not smokingrelated.

However, I am still made out by many people to be comparable to Lucrezia Borgia or Mary Ann Cotton. Even some of my family refuse to visit me.

Well, let me point out that, apart from my television, my piano and my books, my eight cigarettes a day are my only pleasure as I do not drink or go out.

If the Government made cigarettes illegal I would stop smoking but, of course, this will never happen because of the vast amounts of tax it claws in from tobacco taxes.

I have made it very clear that if I became ill from a smokingrelated condition I would not expect any expensive treatment from the NHS, although I have paid taxes all my life and still pay income tax.

So, to all the do-gooders who think it is alright to berate me for my habit, I say: “Hands off and look to your own faults.”

PA Aspinall, Crook.