Trams are a fine idea for Scotland's capital I Am bemused that letters continue to appear criticising the LibDems, even from their own supporters, for their stance in refusing to enter into coalition talks with the SNP. It is a matter of principles and the LibDems are to be congratulated for sticking to them.
It is quite understandable that the SNP should stick to its principles and refuse to drop the commitment to an independence referendum, so why is it so unacceptable for the LibDems to stick to their principles of opposition to such a referendum?
I hope the Greens, in their co-operation with the SNP, stick to their principles with regard to transport policy and can put sufficient pressure on the SNP to ensure that Edinburgh gets its trams and can curtail some of Alex Salmond's ambitions of covering Scotland with tarmac.
Fred Landery, 45 Sycamore Drive, Hamilton. Help to stop smoking In reference to new guidance being issued that will allow young people and pregnant women to access nicotine replacement therapy on the NHS, let me say that Ash Scotland, which jointly published these guidelines, agrees with your editorial that more needs to be done to tackle the root causes of our future generations starting to smoke.
Increasing the purchase age for tobacco to 18, in line with that of alcohol, and backing this with effective enforcement measures, including tobacco licensing, should be the first measure our new executive takes in tackling youth smoking. And it is a plan agreed on by most of the political parties.
However, stopping tobacco companies promoting their brands to young people - and to those smokers who want to stop - is also much needed. Ash Scotland calls on our new MSPs to bring in legislation that will ensure out-of-sight tobacco sales, thereby removing from view an addictive substance that remains the number one risk to Scotland's health.
There is already tremendous cessation work going on in Scotland but the funding on these programmes, in comparison to other health programmes tackling drugs and alcohol, is miserly. An increase in support from government in funding and policy would help enormously, especially in those communities that face the highest economic and social pressures and where smoking is most prevalent. Scotland's brave move to go smoke-free is helping protect all ages from second-hand smoke but much more needs to be done.
Maureen Moore, Chief Executive, Ash Scotland, 8 Frederick Street, Edinburgh. Rose to the occasion The first mention of "the white rose of Scotland" in a parliamentary context was probably on St Andrew's Day (November 30) in 1966. Russell Johnston, then Liberal MP for Inverness, in introducing a Ten-Minute Rule Bill on internal self-government for Scotland, concluded with the words: "Hugh MacDiarmid wrote of the small white rose of Scotland that smells sharp and sweet and breaks the heart. Let us, on this St Andrew's Day, sow the seed of a happier future."
Dr Alexander S Waugh, 1 Pantoch Gardens, Banchory. An issue not to duck The pond-sized puddle that takes up a good part of the road surface of Earlspark Avenue at its junction with Newlands Road has been colonised by a pair of ducks. Sightings have been made on two recent evenings. My dog is somewhat bemused by the whole business.
James Patterson, 217 Newlands Road, Glasgow.
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