Where would he suggest they go – outside the hospital walls, drip stand and all, to get nearer to the more damaging effect of traffic pollution?
They are outside, as the law states; that should be more than enough. Surely they can be allowed this one bit of space to smoke in peace?
I am a non-smoker – I don't like the smell or the taste – but I will defend the rights of others to smoke if they wish to. I think it is terrible that they are sent outside all public buildings in all weathers to do so, when a well-ventilated enclosed room for smokers would do just as well.
People who have smoked all their lives cannot just give up like that, and if you are ill or have broken bones or whatever else is wrong with you, under stress and being forced into not smoking will not help.
My dad smoked from the age of 18 until just before his death last year, aged 88.
He described smoking as his one remaining pleasure; he didn't drink and was no longer capable of looking after his garden, where he used to happily combine the two. I think it's all now gone too far. You are not allowed to smoke in the Westgate "greenhouse" because it's an enclosed space, yet it is open on all sides.
Businesses have lost trade due to this smoking ban. I feel sorry for the cafe owners there; they had already lost trade during the building of this thing and are now losing more custom as people are huddling together on pavement cafes to enjoy a cuppa and a cig.
And then there is the effect on the pub trade. The ban has hit hard and unless the Government has a rethink the loss of revenue will only become greater, which means taxes will rise on other items to realise the shortfall – which might just affect people like Mr Leach.
We all have a vice – drink, chocolates, crisps, collecting train numbers... What if these things become no-nos in years to come?
I say: live and let live. There are enough little Hitlers in the world
Janice Dodsworth