REGARDING the report in The Press of January 16 concerning a reduction in the strength of John Smiths Extra Smooth, from 3.8 per cent to 3.6 per cent – on top of this the owners of John Smith’s, Heineken, are putting Smooth up by 2.5p per pint.

How can they justify this reduction in volume, and at the same time increase the price? People are not going to afford this rise. The Government’s regulator should look into this.

This is one way of customers cutting way down on their consumption of beer.

Tom Mitchell, Mendip Close, Huntington, York.
 

• If John Smith’s continue to reduce the ABV of their Extra Smooth they will soon be able to sell it as alcohol-free.

They really would then be able to hike up the price, in line with other soft drinks sold in pubs.

S Atkinson, Hamilton Drive, York.