Craig Gunn's column condemning smoking is one of his most short-sighted articles I have read in a while ("Smoking: a basic human right or just another annoyance?").

We all know smoking is unhealthy; however, it is our right as citizens of this country to be allowed to have a cigarette.

While I detest smoking, I find his mightier-than-thou attitude sickening. How dare he call smokers "a breed of individual attempting suicide?"

Most smokers are normal, happy people who want to enjoy a break; they are not the evildoers that Gunn makes them out to be.

Smokers have even had to endure frigid temperatures and constant harassment for their habit.

If Gunn is so paranoid about his breathing environment, he can patronize smoke-free establishments.

In the meantime, he should quit trying to harass smokers with his diatribes about healthiness.

Whiny liberals like Gunn need to wake up and realize that this is a free country and he is free to exercise his right to avoid smokers by eating in a smoke-free restaurant.

Yazad Lala
finance senior