TEEN'S SMOKING A LOWER PRIORITY

I was so glad to read Bill McDaniel's letter on teen smoking. I, too,
believe this is another government intrusion not to be tolerated. It's not
that I would want any of my kids to smoke, because I don't, but I think
there are more important things our people in Austin should worry about.

When this bill was being discussed, I called my representative and was
asked what my priorities were regarding teen-agers. I told him they were
drinking, drugs and then smoking.

Smoking may be easier to catch them doing because they have to do it
outside, but what about teens drinking and driving? When was the last time
someone injured someone else while they were smoking tobacco and driving?

If we can control the stores from selling cigarettes to them, why can't we
do the same about selling alcohol to minors?

There are kids somewhere in my town and yours getting tickets ("minor in
possession"). Where is the tough law to make them stop? Is drinking or
doing drugs less of a threat to a teen's health? I don't think so.

Let the government do what it must, but, please: We need to get our
priorities straight. Stop teens from using the really bad stuff and then we
can work on the tobacco.

Susan Fritsche,
Cypress