HAVING looked through Southampton City Council's Tenants Link and City View magazines, as a tenant of the council, I had to laugh at the article regarding the new smoking law. It tells me not to smoke in my own home for at least half an hour before a repair man or council official arrives to visit my home or they will refuse to enter the property.

I wouldn't mind doing this if I knew what time the said people would be arriving, because if you call the council's Actionline to book an appointment or a repair, you are given a four hour time slot either 8am till noon or 1pm till 5pm.

So am I to guess what time I can smoke my last cigarette to allow the air to clear before they arrive!

I know some will say go outside to smoke, but I cannot do this either as the council have banned smoking in the communial areas of blocks of flats of which I live.

I wonder if I will be asked by the council employee "what time did you have your last cigarette?" upon opening the door to them, if I'm honest enough to say ten minutes ago will they go downstairs and have a smoke break while waiting for the air to clear in my flat?

MIKE ALLOTT, Thornhill, Southampton.