THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, June 3, 1996 TAG: 9605310008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 30 lines
I am a smoker. I smoke about seven cigarettes a day on average. I support separate, specially ventilated smoking areas in restaurants and elsewhere. I agree that offices should be smoke-free. But I also feel that I have a right to smoke a few cigarettes should I choose.
I am fed up with articles that talk about how children and others are harmed by secondhand smoke without ever mentioning the conditions in which the harm actually occurs. I do not smoke in the house when the kids are around except in my own bedroom with the door closed. Still, my ex is harassing me and convincing the boys to harass me by telling them they are in grievous danger from my smoking.
Anti-smokers can find any number of articles to support their opinions, but I cannot find any that defend me. Yet the information can be found in the original studies.
Please someone write about those of us who are considerate smokers; whose children are healthy, not asthmatic; we who don't smoke around nonsmokers or go to heroic lengths (standing in the cold and rain) to smoke. Please write an article containing the true facts about people who get sick from secondhand smoke.
I am sick of being harassed. Not every smoker is an inconsiderate, thoughtless, chain-smoking louse.
LINDA-CAROL SROKA
Virginia Beach, May 27, 1996 by CNB