Tobacco.org

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: An issue of health  

To Wes Westmoreland I say bull.

Mr. Westmoreland asked in commentary what makes smoking different from hamburgers, hot dogs or driving over 35 miles per hour. Well let's first address hamburgers and hot dogs When somebody else eats something it does not cause me to be unhealthy. I repeat when somebody else eats something it does not make an innocent person sick. . . .

Mr. Westmoreland suggested that the government could let people smoke themselves to an early grave because it would save the government money in the short term. Let me explain to you how that would work. First most people who die from smoking don't die instantly so before they go most rack up huge medical bills treating cancer or lung failure, thus Medicare and Medicaid costs. Second once those people are dead the government pays out Social Security to surviving spouses and children in some cases for many years. Do you suggest that the government not pay those benefits to smoking families? The main reason why smoking should be banned are the people who work in these bars and restaurants.

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