Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 6, 1992                   TAG: 9203060463
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

LEGAL PRODUCTS CARRY ADVERTISING RIGHT

However, I think he is incorrect on the constitutional issue. Moonshine, marijuana and cocaine are all illegal and cannot be advertised on television. Alcohol and tobacco are both legal, and I believe the First Amendment gives people selling these products the right to advertise on television. Unless the products themselves are made illegal, this right still exists.

It is clear that great harm comes from both alcohol and tobacco. However, the solution will not come in violating someone's constitutional rights. It has been said that one person's right ends where another's begins.

Although I am a smoker, I would support laws banning smoking in all public places. Smoking should be done only outdoors or in private residences. This would protect the rights of both smokers and non-smokers. DOUGLAS G. THOMPSON ROANOKE