Prices the real cause of falling drink sales

I AM distressed by the uproar caused by the profitable drink companies and publicans who are bemoaning the fact that their profits are down by 20% due to the smoking ban.

We have people in hospital gasping for breath with smoke-related diseases - elderly patients who didn’t know the dangers of cigarette smoking when they were young. Those who smoke now are fully aware of what they are doing to their own bodies.

People’s lives are more important than the discomfort of having to smoke outside. Smoking - active and passive - kills.