TREATMENT FOR SMOKERS

SIR, - I read the letter (the Press and Journal, January 19) from P.
McKinlay proposing the denial of NHS treatment of smoking-related
diseases with a certain amount of disbelief.

We are being positively encouraged to legalise cannabis on which no
tax is paid to anybody except the underworld. I am not a smoker,
having stopped .around 10 years ago, but enjoyed the sheer
satisfaction of this habit for many a long year and government coffers
were all the richer for the money I contributed from my habit.

If you substitute the word narcotics for the word tobacco in P.
McKinlay's letter, I would imagine a howl of protest arising from the
PC brigade.

I cannot perceive why smokers are vilified and drug users are allowed
to be such a drain on the NHS. Perhaps the most benefit would arise if
the NHS were available only to completely healthy people.

Donald K. Leiper
Binghill Road North
Milltimber, Aberdeen.