IN Britain we pride ourselves on freedom of the individual, but with freedom comes responsibility.

Many people are keen on the freedom side, but not so keen on the responsibility side.

Nobody should be free to cause harm to others.

This is why motorists are not free to drink and then drive their car. Is this an infringement of their civil liberty?

Of course not. It is common sense and a perfectly correct law.

The same must apply to smokers. They can smoke or they can go into public buildings, but not both. They are free to make a choice, but they are not free to harm others.

Laws against murder, rape, mugging and robbery all prevent individuals from doing something.

This doesn't mean these laws are an infringement of civil liberties. They are perfectly correct laws designed to protect the public.

Lastly, when the smoking ban was introduced in Ireland there were fears that pubs would lose custom and go out of business. A recent report suggested that after an initial lull in business many pubs are now busier than ever.

Tony Taylor,

Grassholme,

Woodthorpe,

York.

Updated: 10:51 Saturday, February 18, 2006