US smoking policy based on hypocrisy

Whatever about tobacco use in public, as a mere Irishman I resent an American in general, and a Californian in particular, interfering in our affairs.

Gail F Cooper’s claim (Irish Examiner letters, June 25) that the Californian ban on smoking in bars and cafes has increased business can be counterbalanced by New York’s 30%-40% decrease in patronage over the past two months.

Why is there so much hypocrisy in the American attitude to tobacco while at the same time the leaf is grown extensively in the southern states?

Consenting adults smoking at home only is fine in theory, but can Ms Cooper justify firms or estate agents who demand that potential employees or tenants sign agreements that they will not smoke at all?

As someone who is working for the betterment of other people’s health, she should turn her attention to the 50% slaughter of babies in the womb annually in California.

Michael O’Neill-Mockler,

18, St Mary’s Road,

Dundalk,

Co Louth.