We travelled on Saga’s Spirit of Adventure ship, and very nice it was too – or would have been, but for the fact that smoking was permitted in one of the two lounge areas.

A couple of days into the cruise, we (along with many others) were coughing and spluttering. My wife had an asthma attack.

No amount of complaints and inquiries as to why Saga allowed a few heavy smokers to make life so unpleasant and unhealthy for the rest of us could elucidate more than “It’s the directors’ decision”. We third-agers are obviously more prone than most to respiratory diseases, and the last thing we expect to find on a Sagacruise is a lethal public-bar smokehouse. What on earth is Saga playing at? John Bratley, Notts

Saga replies: “Smoking can be quite an emotive issue, and passions run high on both sides of the argument. This year, we did tighten our smoking policy on the Spirit of Adventure, limiting it to just the port side of the Yacht Club bar and the port side of the open decks.

The domestic law banning smoking in enclosed public places and the workplace has not yet been incorporated into maritime law, but new regulations are expected to come into force by the middle of this year. These decisions are always one of judgement and balance – whatever the rules, someone will cry foul.”

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