4 November 1996

Editor,

Those who use tobacco, particularly those who smoke cigarettes and those who use smokeless tobacco, are losers. They are losers every time they light up or use the smokeless products. The number of ways that tobacco users are losers is legion.

Tobacco users are health losers. The list of diseases that are related to tobacco use is lengthy. Typically these diseases are among the mostly costly, debilitating and deadly in the medical lexicon. Tobacco related illnesses are increasing around the world. They have replaced some traditional diseases as the "great killers."

Tobacco users are life losers. Those who use the products increase the prospects of early death. In some cases, the early death will come quickly in the form of fatal heart attacks or life-taking strokes. More often, long periods of suffering--as with respiratory diseases--will precede death.

Tobacco users are social losers. The attitudes of non-users are becoming more militant toward users. Career opportunities for tobacco users are becoming more limited because of the attitude changes by non-users, because of insurance factors and for other cultural and social reasons.

Those who spend time in the presence of smokers are losers, too, in that they suffer the effects of secondary smoke. Medical evidence indicates that the effects of being subjected to secondary smoke may be as unhealthful as smoking is. So, the negative attitudes of non-users have a reasonable foundation.

Tobacco users are financial losers. Tobacco products are expensive. The money wasted on tobacco products by even the average-to-modest user could--if invested wisely across the period of use--add substantial sums to her or his financial well-being.

Too many young tobacco users "graduate" to street drugs. The overwhelming message to all cigarette smokers and smokeless tobacco users is: Quit, now and forever. Leave losing to the uninformed or to those who think they can beat the odds (which they can't). Because quitting is so difficult, there is help for those who really want to quit.

Hal Mansfield, 319-B Hillcrest Drive, Durango, CO 81301-6514

Phone: (970) 259-1324

Note: Computer word count: 334