Wednesday’s paper contained an editorial stating that the state needs to stay out of the smoking issue.

I generally agree that government interference in private lives should be minimal. However, when one’s actions affect the health and welfare of others, meddling may be necessary. In today’s job market I would hate to have to refuse a job offer because I learned that my fellow workers would be smoking on the job. Moreover, it would be quite inconvenient if I had to search for places where I could do business without standing in line with a group of smokers.

I have accepted the fact that I can’t attend football games or some other public events because my asthma would be affected by the smoke. On the other hand, today’s medical science has made it quite clear that second-hand smoke is harmful to everyone.

The reality is that I, through my taxes and through higher bills at hospitals, will have to pay for the medical care that will be needed by smokers down the road.

Research has shown that smoking is inversely related to education and, as a consequence, to income. The bills from the illness of those who breath in second-hand smoke will simply add to that burden. I would like the government to protect both my health and my finances.

Joan Krenzin

Bowling Green