SMOKING BARS

Editor -- Allow cities to permit up to 25, maybe 40 percent, of bars
as ``designated smokers.'' Why make the tobacconistas any more
miserable than they already are? Might as well let 'em smoke pot in
there, too. Prohibition does not work. Period. Regulation does work,
sort of. It would be good for the blue noses who think up these
apparently well-intentioned laws to come to terms with this.

Let the preponderance of bars remain smoke-free, so that those who
wish to drink in a healthy atmosphere may do so, and let those who
choose to abuse their pulmonary processes as well as their livers,
exercise this right together in concert without risk of arrest.

These poor creatures are already taxed clear off the map. Another 95
cents will put a pack of cigarettes just under three bucks. Used to be
a quarter when I was a kid. Enough already. Let them gather where they
may to savor whatever cachet the daring exclusivity their small
numbers affords them. (Require modern, effective ventilation for the
benefit of those of us who don't, who hang out with those who do) and
give us all a place to do what we're going to do anyhow. Enforce the
law vigorously, but only where the law applies.

JON BRADLEY

Bolinas

THE WILLIE SOLUTION

Editor -- The solution to the problem of smoking in bars is really
quite simple. We need a volunteer to blow smoke in the mayor's face
next time he's in a bar . . . guaranteed that within an hour every
police person on the force will be enforcing the law with a vengeance.

ROGER M. ROLDAN

Checked-by: Patrick Henry