Sir,- I am disappointed with the cover of the BDJ (Vol 194 No. 4). At first glance it appears to be an image of someone smoking. It is only with closer scrutiny that you realise that it is an artistic image. Indeed, a small survey of staff in our department agreed that it appeared to be someone smoking.

However with the knowledge that smoking increases the risk of oral carcinoma, and is detrimental to ones health generally, is this the sort of image that the BDA/BDJ wants to be associated with? I think not. Indeed we have a duty to actively encourage people to stop smoking. This is not helped by the publication of such images.

The Editor replies:

This letter took us all by surprise at the editorial offices, and I can confirm the BDJ is still committed to its anti-smoking policy. Obviously we will try to be more careful of the potential interpretation of future covers.