Diagnosis of the others is only possible with an autopsy, something not helpful to sufferers and carers.

There is an array of state and federal government services available to assist but they have grown like topsy, are somewhat uncoordinated and expensive for the taxpayer.  

The personnel involved are deeply caring and helpful but are hamstrung by a relatively cumbersome bureaucracy.

Sometimes an aged care facility is the only option but, as recent reports have shown, some are less than desirable and all are very expensive to run.

So it is time current services were rationalised and a more intelligent and economic system is put into place to support patients to receive adequate support in the home.

This is a challenge for state and federal state ministers to address before the aging population, suffering dementia, grows too much more.

John Coulson, Dilston.

IT TOOK the death of 16 children and their teacher at the Dunblane Primary School to change the gun laws in the United Kingdom.

One wonders what it will take for the US to do the same and to place the Second Amendment in the context of the 21st Century.

This statement from the US constitution that is causing so much distress reads: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

The right to bear arms is one thing but the rights of all citizens – including visitors from overseas – must also be respected.

Unless gun laws are tightened in line with developments in democracies around the world,  travellers might have no alternative but to boycott countries that do not take the duty of care to their guests seriously.

In the meantime Las Vegas is reeling from the dreadful effects of a massacre that has injured and killed so many people from the US and elsewhere.

Hopefully the  prayer services for the victims that will be conducted in places around Las Vegas - such as the iconic Guardian Angel Cathedral -might influence some life-giving changes in gun laws.

Ed SIanski, West Moonah.

THE SPIRIT of Tasmania is the vessel of a sea highway and needs to be looked at like a highway anywhere in Australia.

It is the vessel that connects Devonport to Melbourne just like the Midlands Highway connects Launceston and Hobart.

It is vital to the infrastructure that supports Tasmania and keeps us open to the rest of Australia and the world.

If we were going to do a road trip between Launceston and Hobart, it would not cost a cent.

If at the last minute you changed your mind you don’t have to pay any cancellation fees, except if you travel from Devonport to Melbourne.

Tasmania has missed a lot of opportunities.

People wishing to travel in a vehicle cannot decide they will go to Tasmania this weekend as the Spirit of Tasmania is always heavily booked and even more so if you are trying to bring a vehicle, let allow tow anything behind the vehicle.

So why aren’t we as Tasmanians being treated the same as the rest of Australia?

We all need to support the National Sea Highway Coalition not only to give us all the opportunity to visit the mainland when we wish but also to open up many opportunities for Tasmania as a state.

Rob Bayles, National Sea Highway.

BILLIONAIRE mining magnate Andrew Forrest's push to finally hold big tobacco companies to account over smoking-related illnesses by considering suing them should be applauded.

For too long the industry has been allowed to sell a product that has been scientifically proven to be addictive and the cause of major health problems.

What other product on the market is allowed to be sold to humans with such devastating outcomes to one's health?

"Twiggy" Forrest's $75 million Eliminate Cancer Initiative is currently seeking legal advice on the issue, and we certainly hope it proceeds.

For too long big tobacco have ignored 'duty of care'.

Robert Lee, Summerehill.

IT WAS with disbelief that I read the letter from Elizabeth Verhoeff of Latrobe (The Sunday Examiner, October 1).

It stated that the theory of human-induced climate change is a conspiracy by people in the world who want an international government who are simply power hungry.

Just wondering Ms Verhoeff, what colour is the sky in your world.

Geoff Mooney, Westbury.

ADELAIDE finishes on top of ladder, tuned to the minute, and get crunched.

Geelong, GWS, Sydney Swans, Adelaide - all had good enough sides on paper to win the premiership, all failed.

Footscray and now Richmond were not considered by the experts, with the aid of all statistics, to be premiership material.

Percy Cerruty, an athletics coach in the 1950s said at the three-quarter time break where players were exhausted.

If a man-eating lion jumped the fence the players would "run" for their lives.

One of the similarities between Footscray and Richmond, both sides kept running to the contests, then running forward to attack, or running back to defend.

That's how I saw it.

Hugh Boyd, Prospect Vale.