Pubdate: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 Source: Press and Journal, The (UK) Copyright: 2004: Northcliffe Newspapers Group Ltd. Contact: http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/347 Author: Donald Leiper TREATMENT FOR SMOKERS SIR, - I read the letter (the Press and Journal, January 19) from P. McKinlay proposing the denial of NHS treatment of smoking-related diseases with a certain amount of disbelief. We are being positively encouraged to legalise cannabis on which no tax is paid to anybody except the underworld. I am not a smoker, having stopped .around 10 years ago, but enjoyed the sheer satisfaction of this habit for many a long year and government coffers were all the richer for the money I contributed from my habit. If you substitute the word narcotics for the word tobacco in P. McKinlay's letter, I would imagine a howl of protest arising from the PC brigade. I cannot perceive why smokers are vilified and drug users are allowed to be such a drain on the NHS. Perhaps the most benefit would arise if the NHS were available only to completely healthy people. Donald K. Leiper Binghill Road North Milltimber, Aberdeen. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart