Sir - I am not sure where city councillor Susanna Pressel gets her statistics about the effects of smoking bans (Oxford Mail, November 5).

She says that the only real loss since the smoking ban came into force in Dublin was from cigarette sales. She should take off the blinkers. There have been 23 million fewer pints of stout ale and lager drunk in Ireland since January, and matters will get worse now that winter has arrived.

So let's go local. Elderly and young people are terrified to walk the streets of Jericho in Oxford for fear of being attacked and raped.

Cars and motorbikes are being burned out. There are people who should have home help. Our local waterways should be a pleasure for visitors, but are out of control.

The postal service is a joke, graffiti is everywhere and buses cannot get through our streets. Pavements are blocked and people are unable to use wheelchairs.

Ms Pressel should get back to basics and put her efforts into what Jericho people elected her to do.

George McDermott

The Globe

Jericho

Oxford