Letters to the Editor
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
‘Post-Smoking Ban, City Gains 10 Million Lbs.’
E.B. Solomont is to be congratulated on her well-researched and well-presented article on the flip side of the smoking bans which were conceived by Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden and imposed with the force of law by Mayor Bloomberg [New York, “Post-Smoking Ban, City Gains 10 Million Lbs.,” March 27, 2008].
Using their highly visible platforms they have leveraged an international stampede to outlaw smoking. Of course smoking cessation often results in overeating and eventual obesity.
The problem is cessation does not always work and can have undesireable consequences. The long history of sumptuary law is dreadful. The fact is law will not work; education perhaps, but not law.
The millions of dollars in tax payers money spent on disgusting TV commercials designed to frighten people would be better spent on good scientific research on obesity.
ROBERT MADDEN, M.D.
New York, N.Y.
‘Kelly To Lobby for Auxiliary Officers’ Benefits’
The initial ruling that the families of the two slain NYPD auxiliary police officers are not entitled to death benefits under the Public Safety Officers program is insensitive and deplorable [New York, “Kelly to Lobby for Auxiliary Officers’ Benefits,” March 25, 2008].
However, the U.S. Justice Department is able to point the finger at the state, which continues to relegate authority for auxiliary police programs to the obsolete, Cold War era Civil Defense Act.
If Commissioner Kelly really wanted to alleviate the plight of his auxiliary officers, he would throw the weight of his department behind the Volunteer Peace Officers Bill sponsored by State Senator Maziarz to establish proper legal authority for the state’s auxiliary and special officers.
As it is, he even rejected the recommendation of his own committee in the wake of the tragedy to provide chemical Mace to auxiliary police officers, which any citizen can lawfully possess.
BROOKE WEBSTER
President
Reserve Police Officers Association
Yonkers, N.Y.
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