Tobacco's the Whipping Boy; no One Cares About Alcohol

Source from:  indystar.com July 2, 2007 07/05/2007

Mary Walsh and Scott Brown of the American Heart Association commend the Indianapolis Airport Authority for "enacting a comprehensive smoke-free air policy" (My View, June 26). I am a former smoker and understand the health hazards of smoking. But two things bother me. One is that tobacco products are still legal and are for sale in many outlets. Included in this is the argument that some freedoms have a "downside" difficulty. I suppose tobacco products will not be for sale at the airport. Secondly, will there still be bars and restaurants in the airport that serve alcoholic beverages? While I am not a teetotaler, I wonder about the disparity of concern. While smoking has "down-the-road" consequences in many instances, alcohol can have immediate and even violent consequences, as well as down the road. I am not so much interested in making our city "alcohol-free" as I am wondering why tobacco is the whipping boy. Enditem