To the Readers' Forum:
I've been reading lately about non-smoker groups trying to tell ones in state government how to run the state of New York. Non-smoker groups want to make it law for smokers who rent cabins at a pretty pricey rate, not to be able to smoke in those cabins, on the porches, around their campfires, on the beaches, close to facility buildings, etc. When smokers are in their own homes, they smoke and expect to whenever they go on vacations and wherever they pay good, hard-earned money to be able to enjoy their vacations. They spend their hard-earned money at amusement parks, on rides, in concession stands, in money-making booths, etc. How much money does the state of New York actually make off non-smokers?
If the state was to depend only on non-smokers taking their vacations and spending their money in parks in New York state, does anyone in state government think the state would be able to survive the three months of summer in the in the winter months when winter sporting activities are taking place, just from money paid out from non-smokers? I say no!
One reason is that a lot of non-smokers leave the state for places like the Carolinas, Virginia and the Bahamas. They go on cruises to other islands in the Pacific, also, by prepaying for their enjoyments months ahead, from advertisements through the media.
So, New York state wants to ban smoking for their out-of-staters coming to this state thinking to enjoy their vacations? This state is always crying ''broke.'' How much broker does state government want this state to get? So, listen to the non-smoking groups, you all in state government. You, who wear trousers, are listening to women who want to run this state, their way. So, when this state goes completely broke, don't be too surprised when gifts of dresses end up in your mailboxes.
Helen Reynolds
Jamestown