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Very filthy habit

Dear Editor:

This letter is not intended to hurt others, but, a means of sharing my opinion on a matter that involves all the people of Hancock County – the smoking ban.

Some people may not like it when I say the smoking ban is the right thing to do. There’s no other way to say it – smoke into our lungs is a killer.

In the newspaper, one veteran said that we don’t have the right to tell a limbless veteran that he doesn’t have the right to smoke, I say that this hero’s efforts should be admired, but, his efforts don’t give him the right to impose ill health on others,

One American Legion official mentioned that no one has to come to his post and that it’s an individual decision. I have to ask, what about the veteran that has just as much right to American Legion membership, but, can’t stand the stink of smoke?

Some officials of clubs and businesses remarked about thousands of dollars lost. I don’t think anyone went bankrupt in Ohio or the 24 West Virginia counties that are smokeless.

Smoking is simply a very filthy habit.

I was hooked for 50 years.

I just had to have a cigarette in my hand if I used a hammer, when I used a pen or pencil, when I ate, while drinking a beer, at a ball game, pitching horseshoes, you name it. I was a constant smoker all due to habit.

I lived my young life as an adult working in the Riverview Greenhouse at 12-years-old and the Pennsylvania Railroad at 14-years-old, and smoked regularly from age 12-62 and quit April 19, 1992.

I still have that unopened pack of non-filtered Camels.

So far, I’ve lived a long life. Maybe not smoking these past 22 years helped me get here, but, I’ve sure had my share of problems due to all that smoking.

I’m a WWII veteran and I hope I have a right to tell anyone not to impose your smoke in my living space at restaurants, football games, at the track or where else I might be.

Don’t I have a right? Come on man!

Restaurants in Hancock County that have no smoking in certain parts still stink up the whole place. It’s very enjoyable to eat in East Liverpool and Calcutta.

A lot of places that went smokeless survived nicely and Hancock County establishments are no different and will survive without all the smoke.

We veterans must set examples for others to follow, especially for our kids, grandkids and loved ones.

I’d like to say to our veterans that I don’t think it’s fair to use your military sacrifices on people who simply want a safe and healthy environment. Many people made sacrifices, like my wife and all her family who lost a wonderful brave 19-year-old brother in Vietnam. He fought for our non-smoking rights also.

Cigarettes were $1.50 a pack when I quit, and I bought a US savings bond every 16 days as an incentive, and I started a daily no-smoking record day-by-day that became a week, a month, and years. I’m now at 8,030 days, I’m so proud of that.

American veterans are capable of any sacrifice. Come on, join me with this opportunity and accept the no-smoking ban.

Hancock County citizens are fantastic. Don’t harm them with smoke.

John Flara

New Cumberland

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