In response to Denise Spellman’s article, “All Lit Up Over Ban on Smoking in Boston Bars,” it seems that Ms.Spellman is missing one key point in the reasoning of the legislature in instating the ban: unlike alcohol, smoking directly endangers not only smokers, but those around them who consciously decide not to smoke. Now you may say that nonsmokers have the ability to choose whether or not to enter a club, bar, or restaurant that allows patrons to smoke, and of course you would be correct. However, it is ludicrous to assume that all nonsmokers that object to being surrounded by cigarette smoke will not frequent these venues, and they shouldn’t. Yet some of us don’t have the choice. Although I have but a mild case of asthma, smoking is its primary trigger. Most likely, although no doctor has given me concrete proof, the reason for my developing asthma in the first place is my father’s habit of smoking in our house, regardless of how many times we asked him to simply step outside. As of now, my father, brother, and I all have asthma. Living with a smoker for the past eighteen years had made my asthma less prone to cigarette smoke, and therefore to attacks. However, when I return home for a break or weekend now, I hack my way through my time in my house. This should not stop me from going to clubs or bars, although I am not a drunk, underage freshman girl who wears plastic, sports a bad fake ID, and worships Brittany Spears. In fact, I am a freshman who would never even THINK of wearing plastic, has never owned a fake ID, and despises Britney Spears. It is true that I don’t drink, but if I choose to when I am of age, I won’t have to worry about being unable to enjoy myself because I am too busy running outside every ten minutes to catch my breath (not very conducive to dancing, I fear) due to a health problem that I did not in anyway provoke or cause.

Caitlyn Landry [email protected] 617-352-2853 CAS ’06