HAVING read Damian Edwards' letter ('Hospital's smoking ban may take time to bed in', January 12), could he please explain what a 'Lead Stop Smoking Specialist' is.

If he is the 'lead', does that mean there are people under his command? How did he qualify for this title?

Did he stop smoking on numerous occasions? Did he stop smoking once? Has he never smoked at all? Since when has Fairfield Hospital, or any hospital for that matter, been run for the sole treatment of non-smokers? Whatever ban is imposed on smokers, it won't stop them smoking.

There would not be a huddle of smokers in the entrance if a smoking area was provided.

As to the health and safety issues, there could be a chance that staff who smoked will create their own smoking areas - in out-of-the-way places - and therefore increase the risk of fire.

Why are two drop-in clinics needed - to segregate the public from the staff? Is the treatment different?

Surely there are not so many smokers attending.

Wouldn't it be better to hold these clinics one night-a-week in each town in the borough, and visit the schools during the day. Educate the children and the problem is solved.

EX-SMOKER FOR 50 YEARS