SIR,—Lookin g as I do to the Spectator for enlight- ened
Tory views, I am much shocked by Quoodle's attitude to the Government's polity regarding cigarette advertising on television.
Television advertising clearly reaches a much more relaxed and receptive audience than advertising in any public transport. It is disingenuous to refuse to admit the strength of television advertising, and its impact on the young; quite plainly this sort of advertising benefits no one but those who profit from the sale of the goods, so why should we re- gard the banning of it as a curtailment of our liberties? If cigarettes are harmful, and what's more, if liquor and violence are harmful too, there is a strong case for preventing any encouragement of these weaknesses. Our society is very sick indeed if commercial interests, or even mass entertainment, come before health, family contentment and good order.
As for the question of freedom—no one intends to interfere with the individual's right to choose to smoke, but merely with the practice of persuading the public to smoke, and smoke more, regardless of the peril.
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