THE most draconian anti-smoking measures in the world are now in place in England, with a restrictive intensity producing an outrageous infringement of human rights and liberties affecting 27 per cent of the population.

Further ridiculous suggestions by the "do-gooders" that have been proposed include smoking bans in private cars, public parks and the areas outside football stadiums, which I don't believe are worthy of serious comment.

I live most of the year in Spain, where the legislation was introduced about 18 months ago.

Spain provides a similar ban on smoking in public places and offices, but with realistic regulations operative in bars and restaurants. About 20 per cent of those establishments provide non-smoking areas with separate segregated smoking areas, about 40 per cent are completely non-smoking and the remaining 40 per cent allow smoking. This is a situation that apparently will be repeated in Portugal.

Both smokers and non-smokers have absolute equal freedom of choice, which I contend is the ideal solution.

The English legislation would seem to be set in stone, but perhaps the powers that be should now at last take steps to control the problems of alcohol abuse.

Having dealt with smoking related evils, the Government must immediately take appropriate steps to reduce the greater and more dangerous problems related to alcohol abuse.

I believe the minimum age should be increased to 21, with strict penalties similar to those applied to the smoking fraternity.

The banning of cheap offers and happy hours, plus reduced opening hours and maybe a general increase in prices, would make the product less accessible.

We must take immediate preventative action to save our society.

David Ingham, Moraira, Spain