ADDICTED IN THE SERVICE

The article, "New law denies disability to vets with smoking-related
illnesses" (Aug. 30), illustrates the large amount of taxpayer money that
has been spent on the health care of smokers. Smoking starts with the
availability and acceptance of cigarettes, so we must stop both before
millions more people get lung cancer.

These veterans, who were given cigarettes [while in the military] and saw
their peers comforted by cigarettes, became addicted to nicotine and
continued a lifetime of smoking.

This process is very similar to what is happening to our youth today.
Cigarettes are easily available, and smoking is seen as permissible
behavior. We must stop the availability of cigarettes to young people,
through price increases and strict enforcement of the minimum age
requirement.

In addition we must stop the visual acceptance of cigarettes. Actors and
actresses should not smoke in their roles. People should not see actors use
cigarettes as calming or relaxing, nor should they see "cool" or "hip"
actors smoke.

Preventing people from beginning to smoke today will save lives and money
tomorrow.

Susie Krum, Berkeley

Checked-by: Don Beck