Controlling Others

* As one who does not smoke, but who does have many considerate smoking friends, I read Jack Nicholl’s column (“Bans Alone Won’t Win the War,” Commentary, June 25) not as a piece against smoking, but as another piece in an emerging pattern in this nation of a desire, whenever opportunity arises, to control the actions of others.

Obviously, Nicholl does not take on the alcohol industry. Drinking is too popular and too widely accepted for that.

But suddenly, through groups like his, an opportunity is seen. It is a part of thinking that says “I know what is good for you even better than you do, and so I am going to make you do what is good for you.” You must fasten your seat belt or else. You must wear a helmet on your motorcycle or else. You must not smoke around other people or else.

We are stepping along briskly on a path that may suddenly find us faced with all the controls that our forefathers fought so hard to escape.

DOROTHY ROBERTS

Los Angeles