After three disastrous years of daytime trading, not only have we seen our annual daytime sales fall by 50%, having to pay off staff and close early for lack of custom, we can only see, as Mr David Young explained, ‘‘a gloomy forecast ahead’’.

Take it from us, trade will suffer. We have had no help or advice from any council department or councillor.

We are a small, family-run business and before the daytime smoking ban we were thriving. What will make matters worse for some public houses is the fact they may not have an amenity outside for smokers.

So come on, Dundee City Council, be the first to help our small businesses with a plan of “the best way forward”. — Dexters.

I always smelt of an ashtray after a pub night out.

Maybe if the owners had installed a viable ventilation system then no one would have minded. As to smoking and drinking at the same time, the health experts agree that this multiplies the chances of mouth cancer. — Non-Smoker.

Now that the worm has turned, all we read and hear about from smokers is how their “rights” are now being violated.

No one is stopping smokers from lighting up. All we are asking is that they do not light up amongst those of us who have chosen not to smoke.

Some smokers have suggested that non-smokers can choose not to go to a pub. That’s not very fair. I like drinking beer and, prior to Sunday, I had no choice but to endure the awful conditions in pubs.

Pubs are not the exclusive property of smokers. Non-smokers have the right to enjoy a drink just as much as a smoker.

Pubs exist for the purpose of consuming alcohol, not nicotine.

Where possible, a compromise is always the best solution. Unfortunately, there is no middle way as it would be impractical and costly installing better ventilation and only improves the situation slightly. It does not eradicate the problem.

Smoking used to be allowed in the workplace, shops, cinemas, football grounds and other public places. It has been banned from most of these for years and no one now complains.

In a few years people will wonder what the fuss was about. — Healthy Scot.

Of course there are health issues, but what has happened to human rights and to choice? There is no reason to make smokers less than second-class citizens.

I worked in the NHS and know the stress of busy wards, and the long shifts worked by all grades of staff.

To deny them a place to smoke, even taking the right to use the smoking booths in the grounds away from them, is tantamount to cruelty.

To even hint that staff might be sacked if found breaking these almost unenforceable rules is beyond belief. — Perplexed.

The outdoor ashtrays are below each of my bedroom windows, so even people chatting can be heard.

Despite the ashtrays, cigarette butts have already started to accumulate on the ground outside my house.

The ban has not taken into consideration neighbours like me. — Disturbed.

Did any of these councillors who voted against look at any facts and figures before dismissing this?

Are we to expect the usual carnival parked right out in front of the City Square, blocking the view of the tree again? Are we to expect the usual market in place again?

No one is asking for something along the lines of Edinburgh, but for goodness sake, if a small town like Stonehaven can provide the citizens with some form of entertainment, then why can’t Scotland’s fourth city?

Given what we as taxpayers pay for such things as the Economic Development Department, why can’t Dundee organise a New Year party? Sponsorship could have been the way forward.

The New Year maybe has died out in Lord Provost John Letford’s and administration leader Jill Shimi’s households, but the citizens of Dundee are crying out for a good time. — Stamping Stan.

Deputy Chief Constable Willie Bald is fooling no one. Is he honestly suggesting there is nothing wrong with himself and five other senior officers, including the Chief Constable, racking up these enormous bills on “corporate” credit cards in six months?

If they have nothing to hide, provide a detailed breakdown of all the goods and fully explain the operational reasons for spending taxpayers’ money.

The whole thing stinks, with the phrases “gravy train” and “pigs in a trough” springing to mind.

We have already seen Chief Constable John Vine’s £5000 Miami trip and £11,000 double glazing paid for by taxpayers.

A full inquiry into the workings of Tayside Police is overdue. — M. B., Dundee.

When you see what was passed for our unique waterfront, is this any worse, or any more laughable?

Let’s hope commonsense prevails. — Dundee Reader.

Scotland the Brave, which is played also as our national anthem, is a rip-roaring tune in comparison.

Its uplifting quality was evident during the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. — Anthem Proud.