The article gives

percentages as though every one in Fayette County were

polled, and they were not.

These figures send the

wrong message to the people who draw up our ordinances.

The fact is, 94 percent of the people polled, not 94

percent of Fayette County residents, felt that smoking

was a problem.

Later in the article, the

figures do reflect those polled. This, however, is also

misleading, because it does not state what percentage of

registered voters were polled.

If only 10 percent were

polled, what happened to the opinions of 90 percent of

the voters?

I am a recovering smoker

who feels if I am bothered by smoke in a public place, it

is my option to leave. If you are required to be at a

location, then I agree, smoking should be restricted to

specific areas.

If smoking in restaurants

bothers someone, they have the option not to patronize

that establishment. They do not have the right to dictate

how an individual runs his or her business.

Mike Alger

Peachtree City