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Letter: Alcohol deadlier than tobacco

July 10, 2009

Dear Editor,

A recent Canadian study reveals that one in 25 deaths worldwide is either directly caused by alcohol or is linked to alcohol. One in 25 deaths in the world. That's an alarming statistic. And to think there are those who dare whine about tobacco and how harmful it is.

If tobacco does in fact kill, it is a slow process, taking years. Someone impaired by alcohol behind the wheel of an automobile can wipe out entire families in a heartbeat. Some say there is no need for tobacco in our society. Tell me, just where is the need for alcohol?

Alcohol addiction is far worse than a tobacco addiction. I've never known tobacco to cause traffic accidents, divorce and family disunity. I've never known it to cause domestic violence, or cause impairment of driving, walking, talking, thinking. I've never known it to cause loss of consciousness, or cause an adverse personality change. But it is a fact that alcohol causes all these things and more.

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I've known people to complain about the smell of tobacco smoke. Nothing is more vile smelling than alcohol.

There are those who believe tobacco causes certain illnesses and disease. Alcohol doesn't? How about colon cancer? How about cirrhosis of the liver? Or stomach and pancreatic problems? Kidney problems? How about ulcers? The list goes on.

Every day thousands of people die of acute alcohol poisoning, and I get so tired of hearing that garbage about "responsible drinking." There is no such thing.

The fact is, just one drink and the brain is impaired, period. Being impaired is not being responsible.

So, those who are quickly ready to condemn tobacco, do you also condemn alcohol with eager vigor?

Alcohol is far more deadly than tobacco. If it is time to remove tobacco from our society, our culture, it is equally time to also remove alcohol and its dangers.

Roger BowmanDanville

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