30 JANUARY 1971, Page 24

Pure tobacco

Sir: I was very surprised to read your leading article (9 January) recommending the banning of cig- arette smoking and putting it into the same category as opium smok- ing by making deals in tobacco illegal and punishable offences.

I have not read the full RCP report but I wonder if the following have been taken into account?

I. Are there any additives in cig- arette tobacco to make it smoke quicker?

2. The type of 'paper' used.

3. The temperature of the inhaled smoke.

4. The type of leaf and where grown.

Many years ago before filter tips were used cigarettes were both fatter and longer and the thrown away portion was also longer due to the wet end of the tobacco and the heat on the lips.

Nowadays cigarettes are smoked right down to the filter tips.

One could -say that the whole trouble is due to inhaling tobacco smoke at too high a temperature combined with exhaust fumes when driving a car.

Maybe what we need is pure tobacco.

John Lowe 16 Scotland Road, Carlisle, Cumberland