To the editor:

In recent weeks various agencies have made comment about the risks involved in smoking.

Tobacco was an important part of the economy during the colonial period of our U.S. history. Britain was a good customer in those early days.

My grandfather grew his own tobacco, dried and cured it in his own barn. He smoked that homegrown tobacco until he died at the age of 88. It was very strong, and the aroma was not pleasant like many tobaccos of today.

I recall that my dad also used pipe tobacco. Many were the times when he would ask me to go down to the store to get a packet or RJR, which he claimed meant "Run, Johnnie, Run."

Many of us began to give tobacco a try when we reached the early teens, if not sooner.

I kept my pipe during college. It was the "in" think to do. However, when I left for graduate school, Mother saw to it that the pipe was left behind.

I was with my brother when he was very ill. He said, "I don't know how much longer I'll live, but I am sure that 40 years of inhaling tobacco have brought me to this point." A short time later he was gone. His experience was further proof that I had a better chance for life if smoking was not a part of it.

The warnings appearing in the promotions of the tobacco industry don't seem to make much difference. Smoking is a matter of choice.

IVAN NOTHDURFT

Cape Girardeau