On the question of getting started smoking, both my parents smoked and at the beginning of the sixties smoking still had that glamorous image. All the film stars seemed to smoke and so did my boyfriend at the time. So, in order to feel more grown up I started smoking.

Unfortunately I became addicted and smoking became a way of life. I did try to give up a couple of times but went back to the habit after a while. It wasn't until my husband was told to stop smoking that I was able to stop altogether - it didn't seem fair for him to have to deal with my still smoking. As a result I know that I am healthier, and a lot better off financially.

I do get rather tired of having to put all my clothes in for washing after a night in a paticularly smoky venue but take it as the price to be paid for a good night out. However, I am now with someone who cannot tolerate smoke, having had cancer of the throat as a result of his own smoking habit, and this does colour my view on the subject.

It is frustrating when a good evening is spoilt because you have to leave a session because one of you can't tolerate the smoke, However, my partner's wellbeing is more important to me.

I would love to see non-smoking pubs in the UK. The venue for the session that we are trying to start in Hertford is the dining room of a pub and so non-smoking, but smokers can always go through to the bar to light up. That seems to be a sensible solution.

On the question of cars - I'll go along with LH here. At least the automobile has a practical use. I would be hard put to manage without mine due to the high cost and unreliability of the public transport system in this country, and I do have to use the trains to get to work in London so know first hand what I am talking about. As far as I am aware smoking has no practical value whatsoever and one hell of a downside both healthwise and financially.