Regarding "Widow wins tobacco suit," Dec. 15, who in this era hasn't lost a loved one or a close friend to cancer caused most likely by smoking? Where do we draw the line on greed vs. the value of sorrow? I am not a smoker, never have been and dislike the habit, but I have realized the decision to smoke is left to the individual.
My mother died in 2002 from cancer caused by smoking. She, too, started at an early age when there were no health warnings. She eventually realized smoking was most likely going to cause her health issues should she continue. She could not stop; she was hooked, as so many people are. My sister and I constantly asked her to quit, to no avail.
I'm sorry for this woman's loss, to lose a loved one at such a young age is truly terrible. However, her husband made the choice to smoke and, at some point, knew it was going to cause a health issue. I realize the argument: that Big Tobacco caused the death by making him dependent on its products. Although sympathetic, I would not have agreed the liability of his death lies with the tobacco company.
We always believe we're the exception to the rule; smoking is bad, but it's not going to get me. I suppose it's human nature to make up excuses for our own bad decisions, but sometimes we make the right choices and sometimes we do not.
JIM MCGARRY
Albany