Letter to the editor... Slade smokingly off base

Dear Editor:

After having read Kate Slade's article in Interrobang volume 42 issue number six dated September 28, 2009, Cost of smoking burning money, admittedly, I had a few cringe moments that pushed me into submitting this response.

Ms. Slade, I liked your article. It was well written. You're right smoking is an expensive endeavour. However, I feel you're insulting the intelligence of your readers with content that's rife with bias and propaganda. For instance, you wrote: “You've known [the messages] since elementary school; Smoking is wrong. When we're told that something is forbidden, it is in our nature as human beings to rebel.”

Smoking is not wrong Ms. Slade. You can't pretend to understand the reasons for something with arbitrary sentiments like “it's in our nature as human begins to rebel.” Bull!

Every day that we live, we are risking our lives. Riding the bus or eating a greasy burger with fries. These things are relative. You want to live as long as possible? That's fine. Chomp on a piece of celery and keep your lungs immaculate. However, judging the people who don't share your rationale is ridiculous and pretentious. I have no problem with anyone who smokes because it's his or her will. Smoking is historic. It's cultural. It's social. And, admittedly, it's self-destructive. But can you find anything in this life that's not?

What's human nature, Ms. Slade, is that we do what we love. Some of us love the relaxing effects of tobacco. We're not stupid, ignorant, or arrogant. We're human.

Matthew Deschenes

Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.