6 SEPTEMBER 1997, Page 27

Sir: Jeffrey Bernard's column struck a chord. Earlier this year

I spent 18 days in a French hospital. When I felt better, I smoked. The nurses ticked me off but didn't stop me. One day, when I was smoking, the surgeon arrived. The nurses all told him that they had tried to stop me. His answer was: 'So what? If he is smoking, he's feeling better, so you should be pleased.' In ten minutes an ashtray was brought in. Inciden- tally, when I was able to eat normally, a glass of not bad wine was served with my meal.

Philip Hall,

Maison Olherria, Ahaxe, France