Mr Broughton's knowledge of drugs and nicotine addiction appears to be limited (Letters, August 31).

Where I work, 80 per cent of the people I encounter take drugs, from cannabis to hard drugs, and have usually been ostracised by family and friends.

They have children they can't afford to care for and who usually end up in care.

They are also generally unemployed and mug, steal and lie to feed their habits. How else does he think a £100-200-a-day habit is funded?

Excessive drinking also creates similar problems within families, although often to a lesser degree.

As a cigarette smoker, I don't know of any family which has been split up through smoking, nor do smokers especially neglect their children.

-Ms Anita Bird, Southwick