SOCIETY TOLERATES DRUG ABUSERS OVER SMOKERS

Our society is more tolerant of the drug abuser than the smoker. We
would rather provide a safe haven for the administration of drugs or
provide clean needles to prevent communicable diseases. All addictions
bring the burden of cost to our health care system, legal system and
welfare system but to discriminate against the smoker is unfair.

To say that this person must go out in the cold and wet if they wish
to satisfy their habit is imposing an additional health risk on the
individual. And is it safer to have smoking patrons huddled in
doorways seeking what little shelter they can find? Maybe blocking
entrances isn't a safety issue if the blockage is human. I'm sure
other patrons would welcome the opportunity to pass through a group of
smokers to enter or exit an establishment.

J. Bitcon,

Port Coquitlam