Readers' reactions

Last week in The THES..Martin Ball argued that universities that ban smoking betray individuals' right to free expression

Michael Carrington Wilby Northants

So Martin Ball imagines a world where one in three of the population is vilified for a lifestyle and forced to skulk in corners or evicted onto the street. I have news for Mr Ball. More than that figure are vilified for their lifestyle, skulk in corners and are often evicted into the street - the poor. And it is they who suffer so Mr Ball's masters can maximise profit.

David Baker Reader in politics Nottingham Trent University

How are non-smokers to live their lives "freely" when exposed to the foul-smelling and unhealthy environment caused by smokers? My father died last month of lung cancer, as did my wife's father a few years ago. Both would have argued against Ball on the utility of their lifetime of "freedom" to express themselves through smoking.

Ken Spencer Loughborough

I have founded FLEA - Freedom and Liberty to Enjoy Asbestos. I like to inhale blue asbestos dust and breathe it out over colleagues and students. This is my personal liberty and free expression.