Go Ahead and Smoke--Leave Rest of Us Alone

Ihave read Garry Abrams’ piece “Smoker’s Fantasies Light Up His World” (Sept. 15). His characterization of “many anti-smoking zealots” as “pompous twits” is not germane to the important issue of why many of us are indeed zealots in our pursuit of tobacco control.

What is lost in inflammatory rhetoric is the truth that secondhand smoke is dangerous to all who breathe it. It is a Class A human carcinogen, not a nuisance. Thousands of people a year are not dying of a nuisance.

Abrams anticipates a “tut-tutting” and “fulminating” of persons such as I over “the poor tobacco addict” incorrectly. The damage smokers do to themselves is their choice and their business, not mine.

What those of us interested in tobacco control want is protection from secondhand smoke in the workplace and in public venues. Yes, such protection means restrictions on smokers, but it does not take away their right to smoke.

RAYMOND MELROSE

Los Angeles