SMOKER FIGHTS BACK

Tampa Tribune July 5, 1997

Letters to the Editor Department

What Freedoms do we lose next?

The smokers have the power and don't even know it. You have the power to bring down the government treasuries, both federal and state, close down the cigarette factories and abort the health police and anti-smoking zealots in their tracks.

All you have to do is stop smoking. I have bought my last carton of cigarettes and hope that all smokers will follow suit. Just think of all the other good things that will happen: the lawyers won't get paid with extortion money that you will be paying in the higher cost of cigarettes and $1 per-pack increases in federal and state taxes. The U.S. Congress will have to rethink its budgets, and nonsmokers will have to pay additional taxes to make up the difference, while smokers will be able to save $1,000 a year.

There are 66 million smokers, and if you think we can't do some damage, think again. If you absolutely cannot stop, then buy some Price Albert and start rolling your own.

You can prove that you are not an addict, and what's more - no more burned holes in your clothing and you will again be welcomed into the bosom of your friends and relatives as a first-class citizen. No longer will complete strangers look at you with utter disgust, nor will you have to cower outside to light up. You will also take away the soap boxes from those who are boasting about bringing the cigarette cartel to their knees.

Let's not forget that according to the American Cancer Society and the American Lung and Heart Associations, you will not get lung cancer of heart disease if you are a nonsmoker. No longer will you have to donate to these charities. You can contribute to your church instead.

After 35 years of smoking and 10 years of protecting my right to choose to smoke, I celebrated Independence Day this year by wearing a black armband and burning a candle instead of fireworks to mourn the passing of our lady liberty.

- Olga Colado, Tampa

The writer is president of Tampa Smokers' Rights Alliance.