SIR - Three cheers for Ken Nason's letter, Smoking ban is undemocratic' (April 16). I quote: "The fact that there is no proof that secondhand smoke is anything other than an irritant seems not to matter when banning smoking."

Quite right! The brewing industry costs this country far more in lives, injuries, and social costs than smoking does. Why isn't the consumption of alcoholic drinks being banned? The oil industry pumps infinitely more carcinogenics into our atmosphere than smoking does. Why isn't the consumption of oil-based products being banned?

The reason our politicians have introduced a blanket ban is because they know a partial ban wouldn't work. Half the people who use pubs and restaurants smoke. If certain establishments were allowed to continue to cater for smokers then they would be the only ones still in business.

Let us look on the bright side. The smoking ban is an absolute gift to the people of England. This is the people's opportunity to kick the political establishment as it has never been kicked before.

This time the people can really put the boot in and make it hurt. This is our opportunity to bring the politicians to heel. And let us remember that smoking will still be permitted, with a drink, in House of Commons bars.

All we have to do on July 1 is have our own Independence Day. If every one of England's smokers refuses to use pubs, restaurants or coffee shops, the entire economy will totter.

The brewing industry will be crying in its beer, half the restaurants will be deserted and stopping for a coffee will be a thing of the past. The answer really does lie in the smokers' own hands.

If smokers lie down for this, whilst MPs guzzle and puff away in their own bars, then the smokers deserve their fate.

The ban isn't about health. It's about Europe's rule and politicians telling us what we can do. And the only way they can do that is to rely apathy. Stand up. Or shut up.

N TAYLOR, Worcester.