Here are excerpts from emails readers sent me about my column last week on smoking in parks: "I think being subjected to second-hand smoke is such an infringement on my right to live cancer-free. Also, smokers are the biggest slobs on earth. They all throw their butts anywhere they please. Our parks should be protected from their filth. I'll call cops when I see a smoker in the park. IT'S THE LAW, remember? Cindy Smith-Garcia, San Jose "The policeman in the letter to the editor this morning says he won't have any problem 'educating' anyone he sees smoking where prohibited that it's against the law.
That's easy for him to say. Even off-duty, he has his badge in his pocket and the power of the police on his side. Smokers tend not to be from the upper crust of society, and custom has not yet swung far enough for you or me to do that without inviting an unpleasant confrontation. Custom hasn't moved that far yet." Bob Dennis, San Jose "In a perfect world we wouldn't need cops to enforce our laws. The conscience of the individual and his or her morals would guide behavior. Yet, we do not live in a perfect world. We need laws to protect us from one another. We depend upon the brave ones like Linda York to speak up for us timid ones.''
"Why should being outside in the open air, be an issue for second-hand smoke? There are more cars and businesses causing health issues then someone smoking. My mother also died of cancer, and never smoked a day in her life. It is freedom of choice to smoke or not, drink or not, over eat or not. For her (Linda York) to call the police is ridiculous.'' Debi Paris, San Jose "Messaging needs to be clear and readable. Having 'Do Not Smoke' signs hung 10 feet in the air or on a map doesn't help. Messaging is needed to ensure all people are clear on where a person can't smoke as well as where they can smoke. Do the messaging and most of these problems will go away. And Ms York, next time you ask some to stop smoking do it with your cell phone video capture mode.'' Timothy Logan, Santa Clara "Our right to breathe clean air equals our right to clean water.
Each is a resource that we share and a resource that cannot be fenced in and protected by isolation. Polluters of either must refrain from polluting activity.'' Gail Ghose, San Carlos "For enforcement to ignore a law when it puts two people into conflict is ignoring the will of the people. I am sure that law enforcement could rationalize never responding to a low-level enforcement issue -- essentially putting law-making into the hands of law-enforcement. And that would be wrong.'' Gary Bacon, Palo Alto "I firmly believe the council shouldn't pass laws they aren't willing to enforce. This goes for any law, not just bans on smoking. If they can't afford the cops, then they need to start a new lower-grade of nuisance-law enforcement cops, and hire a ton more of them.'' Beth Leonard, Sunnyvale "I am 73 years old and have never smoked a cigarette.
When I was a young woman, I was considered very odd for not smoking. Now I think we are going too far. So many people have stopped smoking. Some have really tried and still failed. Give these poor folks a break. Usually, they are very polite about it and the smoke is highly diluted outside. '' Martha Johnson, San Jose "I am not a smoker. Quite frankly, I detest the smell of smoke. Nonetheless, if Ms. York is bothered by someone smoking in the park, she has the option of moving away. There is no health issue here, but there is the very serious issue of wasting police resources.''
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