Snuff out this idea

After reading the letter from Mr. Dufresne (“Light up indoors, Sept. 14), I feel compelled to respond. Please, please rethink this suggestion. With the outside air unbreathable, you are asking to be allowed to make the inside air in all public places equally unbreathable. For years and years, I wasn’t able to dine in a restaurant, enjoy a movie in a theater, listen to music in any venue, because of the cigarette smoke allowed. Anyone who knows me will understand how hard it was for me to give up ‘going out dancing’. I simply couldn’t breathe.

I do sympathize with anyone who experiences difficulty breathing fire smoke-filled air, but that shouldn’t permit citizens to pollute the otherwise breathable air in public places. Think of your friends and neighbors who are having just as much difficulty breathing outside as you are. Some of us experience as much, if not more discomfort than you apparently do. For some of us, this would mean being cut off from work, school, church, grocery stores, doctor’s office, etc. Please continue to smoke well away from those of us who’s health would be severely damaged. Thank you.

Rita Pope

Spokane