Pensioner William Sturt was sent a letter by a cigarette company telling him he wouldn't be eligible for gift coupons - four years after he died from lung cancer caused by smoking, writes Karen Rosine.

His widow, Kay, 85, was distraught when she opened the letter from Benson and Hedges, attacking Government plans to restrict how tobacco products are advertised and promoted.

Mr Sturt died aged 79 from a tumour on his lung caused through his 30-a-day cigarette habit, his widow said. Mrs Sturt, of Bigwood Caravan Park, Radley, near Abingdon, said: "The letter really hurt and upset me. It was just out of the blue. It was addressed to William and he died from smoking.

"I was on my own when I opened the letter and it was awful. They should not have sent it. It is adding insult to injury. They are encouraging people to smoke."

Mrs Sturt said her husband died after two harrowing days in the Churchill Hospital in Oxford.

The letter outlined plans to ban all cigarette coupon promotions, such as the Gratis scheme run by Benson and Hedges. Under the scheme, participants collect Gratis coupons to be exchanged for gifts from the Index catalogue store. The letter said Gratis points were no longer being put into packs and would soon no longer be exchangeable for gifts. It read: "Like us, I am sure you are very angry about the Government's proposals and the impact they have on your freedom to participate in cigarette coupon collection schemes.

"If you feel strongly about this subject, could I suggest you write to your local MP."

The couple were both married before. William had four children in his previous marriage - his first wife Amy died of cancer - and Kay had two. They had none together.

Mrs Sturt said she had tried to get her husband to quit.

She added: "He was a heavy smoker - he started when he was 14. I tried to stop him."

Benson and Hedges spokesman Colin Stockall said: "The letter in question was sent to anyone who had taken part in the Gratis coupon scheme to advise them it was ending.

"We were unaware that Mr Sturt had died and regret any distress and upset caused."

Mr Stockall said Mr Sturt's name would be removed from company records.

Story date: Thursday 02 March

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.