WHEN last year's smoking ban was first mooted, there was widespread scepticism about whether it would work.

But it seems to have done.

Although there is much debate about the effect it has had on the viability of some pubs and clubs, the ban has helped reduce the percentage of people smoking, it has made pubs cleaner and more pleasant places, and it has been remarkably self-policing.

The sceptics were wrong.

So we'll suspend scepticism about the Government's latest wheeze, which is to have cigarettes taken down from display in shops and placed under the counter. It too may have a beneficial effect.

It won't, though, if children continue to obtain cigarettes once they are tucked away under the counter.

An even more beneficial step might be for the Government to give local authorities and police the resources and the will to clamp down on those who sell or give - be they unscrupulous shopkeepers or silly adults - cigarettes and alcohol to minors.

Give us a break

NORTH of the Tees, children return to school today after their two-day Easter break. They have nearly another nine days of lessons before their term comes to an end on April 4 and their fortnight's holiday begins.

South of the Tees, children are now on holiday for the next two weeks until April 4.

Pity the parent who has children in different schools on different sides of the river - secondary in Darlington, for example, and primary in North Yorkshire.

They now have a month in which to juggle work, childcare and school holidays.

This may be the earliest Easter since 1913, but by next year neighbouring authorities should be able to synchronise their diaries so that parents can spend as much time as possible with their children.