February 15, 2001 10:01: WELL, now we know; cigarettes are good for our children, essential to the economy, de rigeur for all successful pubs and hated by fascist dictators (Letters, February 8).

I must resume this noble habit forthwith clearly the stale clinging stench, red eyes, sore throat, fire risk and tonnage of litter are figments of my imagination.

Pass the fags ...

David Taplin, Amersham Hill, High Wycombe