The print., March 04, 1987, Page 3, Image 3

Opinion
Enter the
“no-smoking”
campaign
■ Doctors Ought to Care (DOC) and it looks as if they do. DOC a
group consisting of 4,000 members nationwide, is tired of watching
patients die from tobacco smoke related diseases. Hoping to cause
Congress to take a second look as it considers the tobacco legislation,
some of the physicians belonging to DOC have started a campaign to
“personalize” the deaths of 350,000 smokers each year. They are do­
ing this by sending death notices to members of Congress.
It’s about time someone got serious about this very real problem,
i Nothing is very pleasant about smoking; the smell, its effects on peo­
ple's health (both smokers and non-smokers), and the least pleasant of
i all, death. Too many smokers are inclined to think that they will not
be the ones to get lung cancer or emphysema or some other smoke
related disease. These smokers are playing games of chance and the
' odds are against them.
If smoking were so safe, (as some smokers claim it to be), then why
do smokers hack and cough and find it hard to breathe when they do
any sort of vigorous exercise? Is it really worth the risk for a few
moments of pleasant taste and a little “buzz” from the nicotine? It’s
pretty obvious that it’s not.
After quitting, many smokers come to realize how foolish their
dependence on smoking was. They not only feel healthier, they can
now use the outrageous amounts of money they used to spend on their
habit on more valuable things, things that last longer and give them
more pleasure.
So show someone YOU care by either quitting yourself (if you’re a
smoker) or by helping and supporting a smoker who is trying to quit
(if you’re a non-smoker). It will be quite a challenge to quit (depending
_ on how long and/or how much you smoke), but in the long run it will
be well worth the effort. Think about it.
■torch 4,1987
I wish to inform you that one of your constituents, who was a patient of
mine has died. The death was due to the following disease:
____ lung cancer
chronic obstructive lung disease
coronary heart disease
other tobacco-related cancer or vascular disease
This person was a __________ ____________________smoker. Tobacco
smoking is the major avoidable cause of this disease.
From time to time. I know you are approached by representatives of the
tobacco industry requesting support for some legislation that would benefit them.
I hope you will keep this death in mind as you consider whether or not to
support this legislation.
Sincerely,
signed__
address—
Members of DOC send black-bordered post cards to members of Congress, announcing the deaths of
constituents from smoke-related illnesses.
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