Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!wivax!decvax!microsof!fluke!ssc-vax!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!ariel!hou5f!orion!houca!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!we13!otuxa!ll1!sb1!burl!duke!mcnc!ncsu!mauney 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