Letters to the Editor - Nov. 3, 2008

Tobacco is harmful, but attacks on freedom to smoke also pose a threat

Regarding "Tobacco control efforts: The case for persistence" (Editorial, Sept. 22/29): The editorial states: "Bottom line: Forty-five million American adults continue to smoke." This is followed by the accusatory, "But studies show clinicians often fail to provide ... effective smoking cessation information and treatment."

People smoke because they want to. It makes them feel better. And there is not a human being alive who does not know it is bad. It is also unlikely that they have not been lectured to at least 30 times in their lives that smoking is bad for their health. Do not imply that it is their doctor's fault that people choose to smoke.

I hate smoking, have never smoked, pray that my children don't smoke and will not perform certain surgeries on smokers. Having said all that, I grow weary of the sanctimonious preaching that comes from local and national government and AMA leadership.

The great agitation on the part of government against this personal freedom comes about because it is felt that the increased health costs incurred by smokers are then borne by society at large. Our socialistic system of health care cannot, for fear of liability, or will not restrict unlimited health care for everyone who presents to the door. Perhaps we must re-examine our basic premise.

The price of socialism is a steady erosion of personal freedoms. Only if personal responsibility is required for personal actions can we maintain basic freedoms for all.

--William D. Strinden, MD, Lufkin, Texas

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