IN response to columnist Peter Mullen's article, "No smoke withoutfarce" (Echo, May 15), I would respond with the fact that churches are public buildings and work places and therefore must abide by the same smoke-free legislation as all public buildings and work places.

The law not only applies to the Church of England, but to all synagogues, mosques and other religious buildings.

Churches are required to display an A5 No Smoking sign at the church entrance. This can be displayed on a board at the church entrance, or on the door, as preferred.

English churches will follow churches in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which have already displayed no smoking signs in accordance with their country's smoke-free legislation.

The smoke-free provisions in the Health Act, including those on no smoking signs, were considered in great detail in Parliament, including in the House of Lords, where there are 26 bishops.

Not at any stage of the parliamentary consideration of the sign requirements in the legislation did a bishop participate during the passage of the act through the House of Lords.

If you would like further information on smoke-free law, please visit www.smokefreeengland.co.uk Lisa Holland, Fresh: Smoke Free North East.