Philip Morris Ads
Why is it necessary to prove that secondhand smoke causes cancer? It’s already obvious that the odor and discomforts caused by tobacco smoke are extremely offensive. The majority do not smoke, yet we have had smokers’ habits inflicted on us everywhere. Even without asthma, allergies, emphysema or cancer, we suffer burning eyes, nose and throat, and sore lungs when we’re exposed to the disgusting pollution of tobacco smoke.
It seems obvious that the air we breathe should be protected. Laws restrict offensive language, sexual harassment, and the pollution of public spitting and pet droppings. If surveyed, the nonsmoking majority would likely respond that secondhand smoke is a far greater problem than these other offensive acts.
Philip Morris U.S.A. has prepared the full-page, four-part series appearing in The Times (June 28-July 1, reprised July 3), to refute the scientific evidence which proves secondhand smoke is harmful to our health. It also distributed misleading petitions in the attempt to qualify an initiative to undo laws which restrict smoking. The publicity and politics of the tobacco industry are well-funded, but the industry is doomed. Public opinion will demand laws to restrict exposure to secondhand smoke.
SUSAN D. KLINE
Costa Mesa
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As a passive victim of secondhand smoke I would like to reply to the full page in which cigarette maker Philip Morris presents its case against the EPA’s conclusion and the science behind its case against secondhand smoke.
I have never been a smoker, but some years ago I went for a physical checkup which included X-rays of my chest which caused the doctor to ask, “Were you ever a smoker?” When I told him I wasn’t he replied, “Well, you have a scar on your lungs which indicates that at one time you might have been.”
I explained to him that my ex-wife and I had been married for over 20 years and that every time we got into the car the first thing she did when I started the motor was to “light up.” During the cold winter months when we were living back in New York, the car’s windows were closed and I suffered bouts of nausea.
HAL JACQUES
Van Nuys
