Those who wish to breathe clean air shouldn't lose that right

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We want to share a different perspective regarding your Sept. 29 editorial, "Anti-smoking zealotry," on proposed legislation that would make it illegal for an adult to smoke in a car carrying children age 5 or younger.

Individuals should have the freedom to make choices that impact their own lives. However, when personal liberty infringes upon other people, especially when it is harmful to others, individuals should not be able to make that choice for others.

What about the personal liberty of the individual who wishes to breathe clean air? It is irresponsible and unethical for our government to just ignore this and dismiss it as "personal liberty."

Children 5 and younger cannot raise their voices against the 250 known carcinogens that they breathe in when exposed to secondhand smoke.

Because their bodies are developing, infants and young children are especially vulnerable to these poisons.

By enacting this legislation, lives can be saved, just as the laws that require use of child restraints and seat belts have saved lives.

In your editorial, you stated that you wish the seat-belt laws were tougher because the consequences of not wearing a seat belt are immediate. We agree that fatalities by motor vehicle crashes are a big issue. In fact, last year 42,642 people were killed in the United States as a result of car crashes (2006 Annual Assessment of Motor Vehicle Crashes).

But did you know that last year, 53,800 people were killed as a result of secondhand smoke? That's right, secondhand smoke contributes to deaths from heart disease (48,500), lung cancer (3,000) and sudden infant death syndrome (2,300) annually.

In addition, cigarettes may be sold legally, but so is alcohol.

Drinking and driving contribute to the motor vehicle crashes in this country and is illegal behavior. Giving tobacco or alcohol to a child is also illegal.

Many are surprised to learn that children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are inhaling the same cancer causing substances as if they were smoking the cigarette (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services).

At times, the government needs to step in to protect the "personal rights" of everyone.

Every individual has the right to choose to smoke, but that right does not trump the right of individuals to breathe clean air.

Guymon and Jones are community health educators for the Weber-Morgan Health Department.

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