I WAS saddened at the reports that Paul Gascoigne is a smoker and also that England coach Glenn Hoddle wrongly claims that encouraging him to stop ''could do more harm than good''. Giving up smoking would have immediate health benefits to Gazza himself. It would also be the best possible way of encouraging young people to stop or, best of all, not to start in the first place.

Out of 1000 20-year-old smokers, one will die from homicide, six from motor vehicle accidents, and 500 (50%) from smoking-related disease. It is estimated that 90% of lung cancer is due to smoking. The life expectancy of a man who smokes at 35 is reduced by approximately seven years, a woman by five years.

For the majority of lung cancer patients there have been no significant advances in treatment over the last 30 years, and unfortunately 80% of lung cancer patients die within a year of being diagnosed.

Therefore I urge all smokers to think about giving up.

Colin Graham,

Fundraising Manager,

West of Scotland Office,

Macmillan Cancer Relief,

Block 20, Western Court,

100 University Place, Glasgow.

May 18.