AS a professional singer/entertainer of many years standing, I am overjoyed at the news of the smoking ban in public places.

It is okay for the many smokers to be up in arms about the ban, but what about the professionals like myself who have no choice but to breathe this smoke into our lungs?

I suffered from years of singing in smoke-filled clubs and restaurants resulting in many throat operations and illnesses due to breathing in this smoke while just trying to earn a living.

My clothing, hair, musical equipment always reeked of smoke after a "gig".

When I was treated at York Hospital they told me that my lungs and throat were like those of a 40 to 60-a-day smoker.

Smokers just do not think of the damage caused by passive smoking to other people, especially us full time entertainers who cannot escape from it. I welcome this ban wholeheartedly.

It's always a pleasure to sing in Europe and the USA where they have been much more aware of these dangers for years and banned smoking while singers were entertaining.

Suzy Martell,

Melrosegate,

Heworth,

York.

Updated: 10:51 Saturday, February 18, 2006