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Public Commentary Dear Editor: I couldn't let another week go by without responding to the public commentary entitled, Anti-Smoking Paternalism: A Cancer on American Liberty by Don Watkins on Oct. 11. I will preface my comments by saying that I enjoy liberty and freedom of choice as much as the next person. I certainly would not want government to dictate my actions, beliefs and judgments. However, when it comes to tobacco restrictions, we are fortunate that big brother is protecting our rights. Mr. Watkins expresses his concern for individuals' rights and believes that the mounting tobacco policies, legislation and restrictions are infringing on our rights as free individuals to choose to smoke or abstain. This might make sense at first glance, but if we examine how the tobacco industry operates and targets "replacement smokers" we come to realize that young people are being drawn into a lifetime addiction that leaves them anything but free to choose. The expensive, manipulative and deliberate marketing strategies employed by the tobacco industry lure young people to smoke. And if the advertising, the coupons, the gifts, the promotional items, the direct mail all were not enough to recruit fresh young "replacement smokers," the increased amount of highly addictive nicotine will certainly hook new smokers. (From 1997 to 2005, the amount of nicotine in cigarettes increased by 11.8 percent). Check out the website www.trinketsandtrash.org for a real education. We are fortunate to be living in the State of New York and in particular Suffolk County, where laws are being established and sustained that support our rights to choose, to breathe, to live fully and addiction free. I argue that these laws and restrictions are restoring individual rights, especially those of our children. Karyl Kirschbaum,
Babylon
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