Breathing easy

I WAS interested to read Dennis Grattan’s rather spurious comments on smoking in public parks (Letters, 7 September).

 Recently I was walking in my local park: nobody about, kids at school, adults at work (I am retired). I decided to sit down on a bench for a rest and admire the scenery and wide expanse of trees in their autumn colours. I indulged in the legal habit of lighting a cigarette, blissfully unaware that my peaceful puffing was causing an outbreak of serious health problems among swathes of the Kirkcaldy citizenry.

While I would be sorry if Mr Grattan’s phobia about cigarette smoke in wide open spaces were to keep him indoors, he really should get out into the real world more. Perhaps the banning of smoking cannabis in parks might be more enforceable – after all, there are already plenty of “Keep Off The Grass” signs.

Kenn McLeod

Ralston Drive

Kirkcaldy

IN THINKING adjacent smokers “foul”, Stewart Stevenson is not alone (your article, 6 September). My family and myself were standing on North Bridge, and for the whole hour of the fireworks performance on Sunday were subjected to the acrid, noxious and foul-smelling products of four chain smokers standing beside us.

If individuals are misguided enough to choose to smoke, I suppose they have to do this somewhere, but nonetheless smoking in a populated area outdoors is still an issue.

The literature informs us that billions of pounds do not cover the massive annual NHS expenditure in vainly treating the many deadly diseases caused by this pathetic habit.

Ken Gow

Bridge of Canny

Banchory