Well done on responsible drinks awards'

I write regarding the Morning Advertiser Respon-sible Drinks Retailing Awards, which took place in London on 17 November.

First of all, may I congratulate you and William Reed on initiating and promoting such an important event.

Secondly, thank you for sending me a copy of the documentary video that was made at the awards.

You make the point in the film that the vast majority of the operators in our business are responsible retailers. I was particularly pleased to see the contribution of two Laurel managers, Hugh Brooker at RSVP Bath and Paul Dawson at the Rose in Bedford.

I want you to know that Laurel is 100% behind your initiative and you can be assured of our continuing support.

Ian Payne

Chief Executive

The Laurel Pub Company

Porter Tun House

500 Capability Green

Luton

Bedfordshire LU1 3LS

Paper-roll scam company is after money from us'

Further to an article in the Morning Advertiser on 25 November regarding a paper roll scam (and a similar article in a September edition of your paper), I am writing to inform you of a similar situation regarding a company called Merchant Retail Supplies.

Our situation is that a member of staff told me of Merchant Retail Supplies' phone calls on 11 June 2004 confirming that an order had been placed for till rolls, although no-one had actually ordered any till rolls.

A few days later some till rolls arrived with an invoice for £209.15. Despite contacting the company and writing to confirm that they were not ordered by us, they are still insisting that we should pay for them. I have informed them that we will not be paying and that they are still on our premises awaiting their collection.

I have told Merchant Retail Supplies that I do not accept or agree that I should pay for their return and the inconvenience caused by having to return them. Interest has now been added to the outstanding invoice.

One conversation with the company related to a tape recording of our member of staff confirming our address. I stated to them this was not confirmation of an order placed as anyone, even customers, could confirm a delivery address.

I have contacted the Financial Services Ombudsman but they have stated that they are not regulators of the company and are, therefore, unable to help. I am still awaiting a response from Merchant Retail Supplies.

Patricia Gill and Clive Davies

Proprietors

Ring O' Bells

Pit Hill Lane

Moorlinch

Bridgwater

Somerset TA7 9BT

Smoke ban is a nanny-state step too far'

I am writing to express my dismay at the attitude of several Scottish licensees to the introduction of a smoking ban in the country from 2006.

It appears that in light of the Scottish Executive's decision many food-led pubs have adopted the short-sighted attitude that as the ban will not impair the number of customers eating out, then it's not worthy of opposition.

Surely these gastro pubs must record a significant amount of trade from punters enjoying a cigarette and a pint at the bar? Personally, I think their vision has been clouded and they underestimate the impact this legislation will have at the heart of Scotland's pubs.

I find this a simplistic and over-confident approach. The issue at stake is the Government's habit of misusing its power to the detriment of both licensees and customers.

Banning smoking is simply the first step in this nanny-state approach to complex health problems. If unchecked, ministers will simply apply the same blinkered approach to the issues of obesity.

I wonder if one day in the near future we will face a blanket ban on burgers and chips from our pub tables? Perhaps it is only then that the gastro pubs will realise the folly of their ways.

Ben Mansford

Osmers Hill

Wadhurst

East Sussex