I continue smoking

Mr A. Djuana's letter Irony of lie (June 4, 1995) deserves to be commented on. Premising that I am a heavy cigarette smoker, I also know that my "smoker's freedom" ends when my bad habit limits "non-smokers' freedom" and in the presence of a "no smoking" notice I avoid doing so.

Notwithstanding, I know that a cigarette is "something having a small quantity of ash at one end and stupid suicide at the other." I continue smoking and I think I have the right to do so without pressures.

I would like to suggest Mr Djuana keeps displaying his sign asking people to refrain from smoking but, on the other hand, to avoid offering "friendly" advice about emphysema, shortening lifespan and so on.

The wordings appearing on cigarette packets are already more than enough for me...Merokok dapat merugikan kesehatan (smoking is detrimental to health). A necessary warning, of course, but also psychological interference. If you buy underwear, I think you wouldn't be happy reading something like: "The article you have bought is made of rough wool and you'll spend the rest of your life scratching yourself." Would you be happy to wear the underwear?

Dear Mr Djuana, cigarette factories produce poisoning goods and the matter cannot be minimized or justified just because it represents good business. Compromising your principle (only because a poison producer is also a good taxpayer or a big employer) represents a lack of coherence.

I'll continue smoking and perhaps my life will not be too long.

PIERO RONCI

Jakarta