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From: mauney@ncsu.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Smoke dangers
Message-ID: <2222@ncsu.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 1-Jul-83 10:15:39 EDT
Article-I.D.: ncsu.2222
Posted: Fri Jul  1 10:15:39 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 7-Jul-83 00:33:29 EDT
Lines: 27


I don't think it's the time spent reading articles on tobacco smoke
that Tim Maroney objects to; it's the time spent wandering around the
hospital/med school complex looking for the library,  not to mention
the danger that you'll never find your way out again.

Actually, whether or not Tim believes that smoke is harmful is not
important (except, of course, to Tim, and maybe to those on a crusade
to enlighten him).  Since the tobacco industry is pretty good at producing
studies in their favor,  a reasonable person might still conclude that
the danger is overstated.  The point is that many people do believe that
second-hand smoke is harmful, and there is evidence to back them up.
Those people should be given the chance to avoid what they consider
a hazardous and unpleasant substance.  Right now, that isn't always
possible.

The best solution to the problem would be for smokers to become courteous
and sensitive to others' feelings on the matter.  I wouldn't hold my
breath (so to speak) waiting for that to happen.  An outright ban
on public smoking is overkill, although it might be (as Reagan would
say) a good bargaining chip.  Some middle ground is needed,  wherein
non-smokers get enough clout to keep their air clean,  without trampling
unnecessarily on the poor, downtrodden, overtaxed nicotine addict.

                  Jon Mauney
		  North Carolina State University
		  duke!mcnc!ncsu!mauney