Tobacco Documents Online

I JOSEPH ARENDS, M. D. H1ORlSlONAL CO1IP-O/IATION 1331 W[sT BIG B£AV£R ROAD ROSCRTA MUILfN! TROY. MICHIGAN 48084 RUTH LIWIf (APrOlNrNCNTrr) STEPHANIE GOODRtCH = _ October 3, 1980 Sunny Fong Office of Health Education Michigan Department of Public Health 3500 N. Logan P.O. Box 30035 Lansing, 141 48909 Dear Governor: (313) 643.7770 The single greatest impact that can be brought to bear upon tobacco usage by the public is to socially ostracize smoking. As chewing tobacco and spitting were ostracized 75 years ago because of Tuberculosis, so too can smoking be ostracized as a socially unacceptable act. This can be accomplished by prohibiting smoking in all public buildings, all restuarants, sporting events, schools, hospitals and any means of public conveyance. I personally do not care if some other person wants to commit suicide through smoking, but I take a great deal of offense in inhaling the toxins and cancer of some other person. My rights as a nonsmoker are being obstructed and I vehemently oppose the economic interests of certain busi- nesses promoters who will not even enforce those regulations already on the books. Sitting in the Pontiac Silverdome is an exercise in futility. Although the regulation is to smoke only under the stands, the rule is not enforced and the atmosphere is absolutely intolerable. Not only do your eyes burn, your breathing become labored and pose a threat to cardiac patients and asthmatics but your clothes stink for three days. It is not fair that a minority of the population (25%) should inflict their self abuse and unpleasant behavior upon others. By making smoking socially unacceptable we will deliver the greatest blow to the tobacco industry. The tobacco industry is keenly aware of this problem and spends as many dollars as possible to counteract this effort. It must be recognized that we will hurt the tobacco industry if this campaign is carried forward, but these people will still survive and the overall benefit to our people is a higher priority. Sincerely, ,~.A) - Josepti Arends, M.D. JA/ck -155- I I I I I I I I I I I- p t I E L L .:•r::-