11/02/04

Does it mean they are getting more people to stop so as to run out of business, or are they really in their hearts genuinely trying to stop people smoking?

Either way, if a person stops smoking they are left miserable and angry.

The only way to stop smoking is willpower. That's free.

I started to smoke when I was 11. I stopped after 36 years. How dare advertisers show ads such as they do? It's lies. It's sickening and it's hypocritical and as far from the truth as any ad could suggest.

The television should be sued for its lying adverts and an apology given to the people who enjoy a cigarette. - TW Armstrong, Seaham.

MODERN WORLD

ONE day, in a future age, someone will build a monument to the monumental folly of 21st century mankind - a chilling misnomer if ever there was one.

They will be both appalled and amazed at the way we rushed around frantically and then drew comfort from facile things like television, videos, DVDs, Playstations and so on.

Future man will learn that small is truly beautiful and taking life at a slow and steady pace is the real key to health, happiness and a long life.

It's just a distant dream now, but we must learn these universal truths before we are ceremonially banished into a timeless oblivion.

Growth, growth, growth is all we hear about from the bland and abominable US government. Meanwhile thousands upon thousands of wildlife species perish in our ceaseless quest for life enhancement. And for what? I think an increasingly secular life is on the cards with so-called modern football stars and celebrity couples taking the place of the outmoded Jesus Christ.

Do you see what I mean by the ultimate folly? Very false gods with risible moral standards and a never-ending, selfish pursuit of money. There has to be an end to this moral decay which infests and debases our precious lives on earth. - Ken Jackson, Northallerton.

IRAQ

FIRST of all let us apportion blame for this confrontation in Iraq.

The main contributor must undoubtedly be Saddam Hussein. Had he not attacked Kuwait then there would have been no Iraq War.

Secondly, had George Bush Snr had the forethought to have completed the job in the first confrontation there would have been no further confrontation.

Thirdly, Saddam for not allowing the weapons inspector to carry out their task to its conclusion.

Fourthly, the UN for not having the backbone to enforce the UN Resolutions.

Fifthly, George W Bush for revenging his father's mistake.

Sixth, Tony Blair for not getting the backing of the UN before backing George W Bush.

I can understand why Saddam was reluctant to let it be known that he no longer had a stockpile of WMD as several nations bordering Iraq held him in contempt and had they known he was vulnerable then his country could have been the one to be attacked. - Name and address supplied.

COUNCIL FINANCES

JUST to put the record straight for Coun Valerie Halton, coalition cabinet member (HAS, Jan 31).

It was figures from her administration that were put out to the media shortly after the election in May, they were not my figures.

The pattern started at a 4.5 per cent increase, then very shortly afterwards went to seven per cent and then peaked at 12 per cent.

Everyone will realise this is a typical political tactic to go with a high figure initially, and then bring it down, to make a figure of some way less than 12 per cent. This looks like a bargain if it goes down below 12 per cent as the Government's capping limit is five per cent.

On equal pay it was Labour's number one priority if we had been re-elected. We were well ahead of any council long before the coalition came into power on the equal pay issue.

Every council in the area has the equal pay issue to resolve immediately, it was Labour that put the council in pole position to be first to settle.

This along with three years of zero increase in council tax from the previous Labour administration.

The coalition on Redcar and Cleveland Council is finding it very difficult to match the previous Labour administration's achievements. - Coun. George R Dunning, Leader of the Labour Opposition on Redcar and Cleveland Council.

EDUCATION

IT is estimated that on average a graduate can earn through their working life £400,000 more than a non-graduate.

The tax paid on this sum, combined with the jobs and wealth that they directly and indirectly create, not only keeps non-graduates in employment but more than outweighs the cost of their education.

The crisis in our education system began under Thatcherism when they decided to increase student numbers to score political points against the opposition parties.

To save public money students had to contribute toward their education and each successive government has increased this financial burden, whilst during this same period political interference within the classroom and shortages in graduates needed to meet the country's medical, scientific, engineering and educational needs have also increased.

We must cease the lies that a degree is a necessity for getting anywhere in life and that graduates do not make a contribution.

We must scrap the so-called 'Mickey Mouse' degrees created solely to get student numbers up and allow the universities to do what they were designed to do - to meet society's medical, scientific, engineering, business, and legal needs - CT Riley, Spennymoor.

FLUORIDE

YOUR correspondent A Hall (HAS, Feb 7) produced some absurd arguments in his determination to show the ill effects of fluoride.

He states that fluoride is a poison. Many things are poison if taken to excess. Common salt or vinegar and most vitamins to give three simple examples.

He then tries to emphasise the dangers of fluorine by stating that it is a component of Sarin, a nerve gas. However, we all come in contact with fluorine constantly since all non-stick kitchenware is made non-stick by a coating of PTFE or polytetrafluoroethylene (Fluon).

Presumably, he does not allow non-stick kitchenware in his house and checks all restaurant kitchens before patronising them for the same items. - Eric Gendle, Nunthorpe.