Letter: Smokers invade clean air space

Thursday, March 25, 1999 | 11:54 a.m.

These bills are trying to give the same equality to nonsmokers. I can relate to your anxiety to light up, as I was a smoker for over 50 years and finally kicked an expensive habit. You will find that once you've quit, cigarette smoke will smell worse to you than ever and you tend to avoid anyone smoking or smoking areas.

You still have the freedom to smoke at home, outside, in casinos or even in your vehicle. When I play slots in casinos I usually sit were there are no smokers. How many times have I had to move because someone sat down beside me, and the first thing they do is to light up. But show me a little respect, just as I respect your right to smoke. Most get arrogant if you say something. After all, I was sitting there first so why should I have to move?

Each individual has their own little air space. If you smokers can find a way to control your smoke and confine it to only your air space, then we wouldn't need all these designated smoking areas. But when your smoke crosses the line and enters my air space then you, as a smoker, have invaded my right of breathing clean air.

CHARLES HAGEN

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