Smoking strategy is unnecessarily hardline

THE EU proposal to put graphic images on the front of cigarette packets has only been taken up by two countries - Ireland and Belgium (Irish Examiner, October 23).

However, the two countries differ in that Ireland has a complete ban on smoking in the workplace while Belgium has not. Norway, the only other EU country with a blanket ban, has not taken up the proposal.

Whereas the idea for the graphic images stems from Canada, these images are by no means as graphic as those proposed for Irish market. Moreover, Canada does not have a blanket ban. For instance, while smoking is banned in British Columbia and Toronto, this is not the case in New Brunswick and many other Canadian provinces.

Ireland is the most dictatorial country in the developed world. While I respect the rights of non-smokers to a smoke-free environment, separate smoking areas should be available for those who want to smoke. Forcing individuals to smoke outside pubs in the cold and rain and bombarding them with horrific images is not the answer.

Breda Sheehan

9, Glenthorn Way

Dublin Hill

Cork