No smoke without stink
I regret having read John Arnone's letter complaining about being persecuted as a smoker, since I'm sure it elevated my blood pressure by several points.
John, I’ll make this short. Smoking is the least healthy habit of all. If you want to commit slow suicide by smoking yourself to death, that’s just fine, but health-conscious people don’t want to be around while you do it. Why? It’s not just the effects of second-hand smoke (which you are still denying) – it’s because you people simply smell bad. Your breath, your clothes and your sweat stink. You stink up curtains, carpets and bed linen in hotel rooms. You are a fire risk. And you are inconsiderate litterbugs. When I have to run the gauntlet of smokers hanging around entrances to buildings I just see a bunch of pathetic losers.
John, all I know about you from previous letters is that you once owned a bar. This may account for your predilection for tobacco. I’ve lived in Thailand for 35 years and one of the reasons I love this country is the strict anti-smoking laws that are conscientiously enforced.
You complain of the draconian taxation of smokers. May I suggest you go suck on the exhaust pipe of a 10-wheel truck for the same effects – and for free!
John L Sheppard
