Braude Plan to Ban Smoking in Restaurants

Not to defend smoking, but in the interest of scientific accuracy I must protest your editorial “Death From a Smoke Ring: Passive Smoking Is One of Top Causes,” May 24.

The data being so widely publicized regarding the effects of “passive smoking” is not scientific, i.e., reproducible. It is comprised of anecdotal data, often unreliable, and statistical extrapolation. No control groups are involved and the results of such studies generally reflect the bias of the researcher.

With all of the potential toxins in the air we breathe it is not scientifically possible to isolate one and say that is the killer. I feel you did the public a disservice by making such a big wave over unscientific and, therefore, probably unreliable data.

WILLIAM M. READ

La Canada