Proposed Rules on Teen Smoking

* I am an ex-cigarette smoker who is thrilled with President Clinton’s efforts to protect teenagers from cigarette addiction (Aug. 24). Although neither of my parents smoked, I started smoking at 14, using the free giveaway pack saved from an airline trip. In college, I smoked 2 1/2 packs a day.

By my junior year, I became concerned about chronic sore throats and decided to quit. Not easy, but I did. That was 31 years ago. For well more than 10 years I had a repeating dream (I think I still have it occasionally) that I am at a party and offered a cigarette, and it is just fine. What a powerful addiction to stay in your memory so long!

LAURA LAKE

Westwood

* With all this excitement about cigarettes, addictive or not addictive, are you sure that this whole thing has not been invented by a bunch of lawyers who have run out of legitimate cases?

I started smoking at age 16 (1952) and smoked up to two packs a day. In 1972 I quit for about 10 months, and then decided to start again. On Dec. 18, 1989, I smoked my last cigarette. I averaged three packs per day at that time, sometimes up to four. I knew I was addicted, and I knew it was not good for me. I could tell, because I easily ran out of breath.

In April 1995, cancer was discovered and the lower two lobes of my right lung were removed. Luckily it happened in time, and all the cancerous tissue was removed.

But it would not occur to me to sue the tobacco companies. Being of at least average intelligence, I knew I was addicted, regardless of what anyone said. I smoked because I wanted to, nobody forced me. I am taking responsibility for what happened.

RONALD E. HOHN

Los Angeles

* Interestingly enough, hasn’t President Clinton been the premier advocate of the freedom to choose since his first day in office? He contradicts himself with the limitations that he now puts upon smoking. Choice is at issue here. Pandering for new votes, the president compromises his previously held position on this matter. If a minor girl has the inalienable right to an abortion, then she and her boyfriend should have the same right to a smoke also.

Suppressing a right to free speech I find more threatening than a persistent and nagging cough. But then, I’ve never smoked: This has always been my choice.

Divisive issues test the mettle of leaders. We often speak of character. There is also something to be said for consistency: Understood is how a man (woman) stands, is often how he (she) falls.

MARY ALICE ALTORFER

Santa Maria

* Our children are getting pregnant, AIDS and hooked on drugs but we are going to save them from smoking. You can choose abortion and condoms but not schools or prayer. Yes, things are really looking better.

TOM WICH

Upland

* What provocative “bookends” your front page had on Aug. 22: Alice Waters imploring America to eat healthier foods, and President Clinton about to sign an FDA regulation making tobacco a drug. In both cases, Republicans spoke out against these issues. Rep. Bill Goodling (R-Pa.) actually defends school cafeteria food (he obviously was a brown bagger) and Bob Dole is against the FDA regulation and says he will fire FDA Commissioner David Kessler, if elected.

I find it telling that in areas such as these, most Republicans usually defend the status quo, not giving an inch toward common sense and good health.

EILEEN FLAXMAN

Los Angeles

* Now that Clinton has proposed the regulation of tobacco by the FDA, can we expect Dole to propose regulation of even more dangerous products, like milk?

BILL GEIGER

Simi Valley

* Why has tobacco been labeled a drug and alcohol ignored?

PHYLLIS LETIZIA

Los Angeles