THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 4, 1995 TAG: 9508310011
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
I wish to echo the opinions so ably expressed by A. P. Pirrone (letter, Aug. 22) regarding what he terms ``the grave public danger inherent in cigarette smoking, especially for teenagers.''
As a native North Carolinian, I grew up in tobacco country at a time when most of my peers smoked. I was the exception. As we have learned more over the years about the unacceptable consequences of smoking, even for us nonsmokers who have had to breathe second-hand smoke, I have become convinced that we must spend the necessary tax dollars to do intensive research on: 1. constructive uses, if any, for the tobacco plant; and 2. profitable money-crop alternatives for the hard-pressed farmers of North Carolina and other tobacco-growing states.
I agree with Mr. Pirrone that no honest and rational politician can in good conscience endorse the use of tax dollars to provide price supports and other subsidies for tobacco farmers. We can make far better use of our public funds on the research needed to eliminate tobacco as the main money-crop of any of our farmers.
CONNIE HICKS
Murfreesboro, N.C., Aug. 23, 1995 by CNB