As someone who’s been known to enjoy a small cigar every once in a blue moon, I can’t claim to be considered a proper smoker. But, as a former sports professional, I don’t go along with the criticism of sportsmen, particularly footballers, who chose to smoke.

With the opprobrium heaped upon Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, who was pictured having a crafty fag on a night out, you would think he was guilty of strangling his granny.

Many footballers smoke, even the saintly Bobby Charlton and his brother Jack were confirmed smokers while winning the World Cup for England. The peerless Jimmy Greaver was seldom seen without a ciggie on the go and, although he may have suffered for it later, three times European Player of the Year Johanne Cruyff chain-smoked throughout his career.

Another World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane makes no secret of his fondness for a smoke and French international William Gallas is dubbed ‘The Chimney’ by team mates for his 60-a-day habit.

Although smoking is undoubtedly harmful to health, it is not nearly as depressing as the holier than thou attitude of the anti-smoking lobby. Just ask Jack Wilshere!

Robert Hayter, Chantry Court, Devizes.