Since Swindon Borough Council banned smoking in communal areas in sheltered homes it has done nothing to help the people living in them, only put some behind four blank walls.

Since the ban came in to force the communal room at Mountbatten House has hardly been used, whereas before smokers and non-smokers used it nearly every evening.

One gentleman has not been down at all to meet his friends as he smokes.

So, whoever decided on this rule give yourselves a pat on the back, the residents' lives will never be as happy.

We used to join my mother who is 92, in the communal room, she does not smoke and neither do we.

I cannot see how employees could suffer from passive smoking as they do not use the room in the evening.

None of the people in this house voted for a ban.

M F RIVETT

Moredon, Swindon