JOHN Dunlop (Letters, April 8) asks "would this not be a good time to revisit the freedom to smoke yourself to ill health and costly health care and ban tobacco completely"? Is he aware that the greatest strain on the health system in our country by far, is due to obesity, and all associated conditions, which directly and indirectly account for more deaths than any other problem we have with health in our society - yes, a real and ongoing worsening condition that successive governments have effectively done nothing of any significance to address to "save lives".

Mainstream television is saturated with programmes instructing and enticing you to stuff your face, and similarly there appears to be no restriction on fast (junk) food advertising.

It is also worth pointing out that smokers who buy their cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco in the UK pay a fortune in tax and have probably more than covered any future health care costs they may incur. The money all goes to the Exchequer; what governments do with it is down to their conscience.

David Campbell, Paisley.

Why can’t TV presenters stay home?

WE'VE all been told to stay indoors unless our journey is absolutely necessary.

So why do the TV news teams continue to send "our correspondent" to stand outside 10 Downing Street at all hours of the day, or the hospital where the Prime Minister is ensconced before they reply to questions that could just have easily been asked in the studio by whoever is presenting the programme?

Does the locus of the interview have any bearing whatsoever on the information being broadcast? Or is it assumed that most viewers are a bit thick and need a background prop before they pay attention?

John Crawford, Lytham.

This gets our goat

THE US female trophy hunter’s experience on Islay has so upset her, it would be a useful exercise for her to reflect why Islay people were upset ("US trophy hunter hits back in storm over Islay shooting trip", The Herald, April 9). Here on Islay we are very used to shooting parties, led by experienced gamekeepers, from all over the world who come and go discreetly, unlike Larysa Switlyk with her cheap publicity pictures advertising total lack of challenge in shooting with long-range high velocity rifles partially tame goats. Where is the sportsmanship in that? This was not acceptable here on Islay nor surely in any other part of Scotland.

Mrs IT Woodrow, Islay.

Green gold

ALAN Fitzpatrick Lletters, April 4) is wondering what to do with his grass cuttings. He is collecting one of the ingredients for Gardeners' Gold – the words I would use for compost. If he collects his grass mowings and puts them in the corner of the garden – a "pen" can be made for them – and then adds leaves and waits, he will receive the delight of free nourishment for his plants. The layers of mowings and leaves benefit from a good fork-over and should be covered to keep them warm and to help break the mixture down. It is a delight to find all that gold awaiting you and the soil loves it.

Shirley Scott, Alloway.