THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 26, 1996 TAG: 9608260230
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 22 lines
I am amazed by the intensity of the efforts to stamp out the use of tobacco because, while the use of tobacco can cause problems in later life, it is rather benign compared with use of alcohol.
Tobacco affects the user much more than those innocent bystanders who merely get a little second-hand smoke.
Alcohol not only can destroy the primary user, it also may affect the user's spouse, offspring, parents, siblings and associates. In addition, strangers are frequently affected by alcoholics who drive while drunk.
One might suppose that more benefit would accrue to our society and nation if the use of alcohol were to be attacked with greater ferocity whilst the use of tobacco were attacked with less.
JOHN F. BISCHOFF
Chesapeake, Aug. 21, 1996 by CNB