All kidding aside, Obama should quit smoking

I was disappointed to read Amy Koss’ opinion piece, “Memo to the president-elect: Don’t you dare quit smoking” (Tribune, Jan. 2). I know it was written somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but smoking is no joking matter. It kills 400,000 people every year in the United States alone. Do you realize that is about four times the entire population of South Bend dying every year from this destructive habit? It equals the approximate number of all U.S. casualties in the Second World War.

And that is only counting deaths — not all the acute sickness, lost days of work, chronic illnesses and risks to non-smokers to boot. Add to that, a recent CDC study found a significant decrease in acute heart attack hospital admissions after public places were made smoke free.

The president-elect is a role model for Americans, especially young people. My message to Obama is: Keep up the good work in quitting smoking. If you get a little testy, we will forgive you, for you are helping our children and grandchildren stay away from one of the most ugly, dirty, filthy, unhealthy habits humans have come up with.

Then you could write another one of those best selling books — “How I Quit Smoking in the Most Stressful Job on Earth: If I Did It, So Can You.”

Tom Shepherd
Berrien Springs

Source: http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090111/Opinion/901110454/1063/Opinion

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