LETTERS: BLAME SMOKERS, NOT TOBACCO FIRMS

To the editor:

In regard to the article regarding the hospitals' lawsuit against the tobacco companies: These hospitals have got to be joking. I actually laughed at the article when I read it. The hospitals feel it is the tobacco companies' fault because people used tobacco products to the point of illness, despite the warning labels and public announcements made by the surgeon general, who said, in a nutshell, "Don't smoke cigarettes. They're bad for you."

Why don't the hospitals sue all the magazines with anorexic models that target young, self-starved females. Or, better yet, sue the fast-food and pizza joints for causing obesity. What about liquor companies? I haven't heard the liquor companies are working on a safer liquor that would stop alcoholism or liver deterioration.

I realize the issue is receiving money lost due to patients associated with excessive smoking habits, but how can the hospitals blame the tobacco companies? I picked those examples because people don't have to be anorexic, obese or alcoholic. There is so much information about each product that there is no way the average person should fall into these categories. These are no natural illnesses. It is quite clear if you don't smoke that, more than likely, cancer or lung disease won't be a problem. It's a simple as that.

I realize smoking is addictive, because I am a casual smoker. Please notice I say casual. The tobacco companies don't call me up every morning and tell me to go buy a pack of cigarettes and smoke them until I drop. Why would I blame them if I smoked like that? How could I expect them to pay for expenses accrued from my excessive tobacco use? If the hospitals are going to sue someone, try the patients. Why do you think people call them cancer sticks?

REYNA SPENCER

Cape Girardeau