SIR: It really is pathetic how some smokers and drinkers try to justify their addictions, by claiming the tax on their drug of choice (nicotine/alcohol), is funding the NHS for the rest of us. (Alec Martin, Points of View, May 5).

If any of them were unfortunate enough to suffer cancer, or heart disease, as a result of the abuses, or became victims of a drink-driver or an alcohol fuelled violent attack on the street, I doubt that the duty paid would cover the costs of operations, nursing care, accident recovery, fire service and police attendance.

Mr D Thomas

Victory Road, Little Lever

Previous news story

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.