I read with interest the article on smoking (The Argus, July 17) and noted Mr Tom Scanlon's comments.

I was interested to note Quentin's restaurant is a smoke-free zone and will try it as I don't smoke and prefer to be in a smoke-free atmosphere when possible.

I gave up smoking 22 years ago when I was pregnant with my son and felt sick every time I tried to smoke a cigarette.

That was the shove that made me stop. He was born normally healthy but, very shortly after his birth, we found he had eczema and went on later to develop asthma. As a result, my husband, who still smokes, has never smoked in the house but instead goes into the garden or garage so as not to force our son to live in a smoky atmosphere.

This situation has suited us through the years and, although our son has left home and lives in his own flat now, his father keeps to this habit.

As a reformed smoker, I hate the smell and think it is a total waste of money. However, I feel each person has the right to decide whether or not they want to smoke. The obvious incentive is that you can save such a lot of money as cigarettes are very expensive now.

I do feel sad when I hear of people losing loved ones to smoking-related illnesses but, at the same time, perhaps instead of constantly telling people who do smoke that they shouldn't, more thought should be given to the fact that most of us lead more sedentary lives now than previous generations and that can play a major part in heart disease.

Employers could encourage their workforces to stay healthy by subsidising gym membership and the Government could encourage people to exercise more by introducing leisure and health centres that are not as expensive as privately-run places.

At the end of the day, I remember how hard it was simply to stop smoking and I have since found it difficult to keep my weight under control, which I did not find a problem before I gave up cigarettes.

-Mrs Angela Pettett, Hove