Cigarette Addiction Deserves Attention

To the Editor: While Bette Dewing"sˆ Feb. 4 column (â??A Dream for Dr. King, Dewing Things Better) finds alcohol dependenceˆ even more harmful than smoking becauseˆ it can so dangerously affect behavior, your readers should know that in the past, she has always been one ofˆ the most ardentˆ supporters ofˆ the American Cancer Society"s Great American Smokeout Day eventsˆ during the years I was the director. I also remember that Betteˆ wasˆ a most grateful graduate of the too short-lived New York Cityˆ Health Department"s â??Stop Smoking program, and she ledˆ several of its subsequent stop-smoking groups. I am writing in the hope that Bette, andˆ your paper, will consider the need toˆ revive theseˆ government sponsoredˆ smoking-cessation programs, which, in the big picture, wouldˆ significantly reduce heath care costs. Programs for responsible drinking should also be considered. Tina Mosetis Great Neck, N.Y. Letters have been edited for clarity, style and brevity.