I am writing in response to Denise Spellman’s column (“All lit up over ban on smoking in Boston bars,” Jan. 29, pg. 7). I think that the smoking ban is a great thing, and it will make the city of Boston a better place to be. I am from LA, where smoking was banned a long time ago and, when I came to BU I was amazed at how gross it was in clubs and bars here.

Denise claims that the smoking ban will hurt business. Her speculation is totally wrong. When LA enacted its smoking ban, bars and restaurants actually got more business. While we are all going to have to wait and see whether or not the ban will hurt business, one thing is for certain: the ban protects the health of bartenders, waitresses and guests.

Who really cares if Denise won’t be able to use her sexy cigarettes to pick up on some rich losers at upscale bars? Maybe she should stop being the tramp that she portrays herself as in her columns and just stick with her boyfriend. As for me, I’d rather not get lung cancer.