Making a killing out of cigarettes

Published: 18 February 2010

• IN ancient Athens, magistrates used to keep a supply of poison for those who wished to die. 

The modern equivalent would be the newsagent with poison available to all (except “minors”) in the form of cigarettes, each  packet emblazoned with “Smoking Kills”. 

However, as with politicians, they promise but they don’t deliver. 

Somerset Maugham chain-smoked when he was writing; 

JB Priestley was never without his beloved pipe and both lived to be over 90.  I am a writer and a serious smoker at a modest 83, still working a 10-hour day and no cough. Taking into account the £2,000 fine facing shopkeepers who sell cigarettes to minors, if any killing is being made it is by HM Government by way of the not inconsiderable profit which more than covers the cost to the National Health Service of any so-called smoking-related illnesses.
EILEEN EARNSHAW
Oriel Place, NW3