Smoking vs. Driving

Re “Lighting Up at Beach Is Banned,” March 25: I cannot understand why people won’t be allowed to smoke in our God-given air, anyplace outside of buildings. I am a former smoker and don’t see the terrible danger of smoking, especially when I see people talking on their phones while driving on the busy freeway or cutting into traffic. How can they concentrate?

Drunks are much more dangerous to be around, on beaches, waiting for buses, and especially driving -- and some people are upset over smokers? To me, there is a big difference. I wonder what the death ratio is in comparing drunk drivers, driving and talking on cellphones -- and smoking out in the open?

Libby Collen

Venice