'Prohibition doesn't work'

Randee Kirkpatrick, 27, beauty therapist, Kensington I come from Vancouver, where a ban on smoking in public places has been implemented, and I can tell you, it doesn't work. It encouraged hordes of people to loiter outside bars and clubs smoking on pavements. It caused lots of problems with drunken, loutish behaviour.

Abi Wise, 28, paediatric nurse, Harrow I don't smoke so I would prefer not to eat while other people are smoking around me. I don't want my food to be contaminated with the smell. On the other hand, I guess if I did smoke, I would want to have the right to choose when and where I smoked. However, I do feel sorry for the bar and restaurant staff - I wouldn't want to get cancer as a result of passive smoking.

Will Bannon, 20, unemployed, Kensington Although I don't smoke myself, I don't think there should be an outright ban.

I think it might be a better idea to decentralise legislation through local councils. At least then the opinions of local residents are more likely to be heard.

Tamsin Duxfield, 33, caterer, Earl's Court I'm pleased to hear that there isn't going to be an outright ban. I think that would have been an infringement of civil liberties. Of course I can understand the health concerns, but still, I don't like to be nannied like that. I would boycott a bar if I was told that I couldn't enter if I was going to smoke.

Yousif Naji, 22, law student, Fulham The idea of a licence is bureaucratic.

I'm all for people giving up smoking, but perhaps the Government should be looking at spending more money on advertising to advise them how to give up.

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