SIR - Regarding the story Trade drying up pubs' (T&A, December 4), it may interest Mr Cobb, licensee of the The Old Bank, that at a birthday party of six people in a Shipley pub recently - all of us non-smokers - not one left the premises in more than two hours to go outside for a crafty drag, and five of the party are weekly pub regulars.

The health of the nation must be a priority and this is one good policy the Commons put into the effect, and publicans need to adapt.

G Steff, Wharncliffe Road, Shipley