SMOKE BLOWER

The letter by Wayne Powers regarding Judith Sims’ “That Cuisine and Nicotine Connection” (Sept. 28) must have been lifted from an old smoking-industry flier opposing the separate smoking sections proposition (Calendar Letters, Oct. 12).

He hauls out the old “get-the-government-off-our-backs” saw that is usually employed by those who wish to violate the rights of others without penalty. The fact is, protecting citizens from harm caused by others’ so-called “freedom” is one of the few legitimate reasons for government’s existence.

Comparing exposure to others of secondhand smoke with wearing of perfume is like equating double parking with wrong-way driving on the freeway.

Years from now, people will look back with astonishment on a time when people were allowed to belch their cigarette smoke onto the food and beverages of others. Only mental gymnastics the likes of those exhibited by the Powers letter allows the practice to continue to this day.

WILL POWERS

Santa Maria