Tobacco and Hollywood

Stanton Glantz reminds me of a missionary who can’t understand why his campaign to force-feed his religion to unenlightened natives is going nowhere (“What to Do About Hollywood, Tobacco’s Smoldering Affair,” June 2).

Perhaps it’s because people in the movie industry are sane: They understand that smoking a cigarette is not shooting heroin. Nor do they believe “Big Tobacco” responsible for every evil on Earth, beginning with deceptive advertising in the Garden of Eden.

But of course, if you equate “healthy” behavior with morality, you are destined to forever remain confused.

SUSAN SELF

Los Angeles

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Glantz’s commentary is admirable, but I think he is being too nice to the tobacco industry.

I have a suggestion of my own. I would insist that actors do not smoke on camera, exposing other actors and film crews to second-hand smoke. Rather, I would have actors act like they are smoking, without actually holding a cigarette. If they can make believe they’re in love and make believe they’re dying, let them make believe they’re smoking!

BARBARA DeKOVNER-MAYER

Encino