ADULT EDUCATION

Burnaby, B.C. -- I can't be the only one who notices the hypocrisy and
inconsistency implicit in Health Minister Allan Rock's recent proclamation
that "all cigarettes are totally unacceptable for one's health," given the
recent publicity surrounding Canada's new medical marijuana regulations
(news -- Aug. 13).

Tobacco is an extremely addictive substance whose long-term use can have
devastating medical consequences. But I'd be willing to bet that one could
find a few hundred Canadians for whom it can be demonstrated that
occasional moderate ingestion of nicotine has some health benefits (reduced
anxiety, for instance).

I suppose if we banned tobacco use except for this small number of
hypothetical individuals, this would at least be consistent with the rules
for marijuana, but there is an alternative. Treat adults like adults. Allow
them to ingest any recreational mood-altering substances they like, but by
all means warn them in an intelligent, respectful way about any associated
health risks.