Robert Bork's arguments ("Tobacco Suit Is Latest Abuse of the Rule of Law," editorial page, Sept. 23) concerning the impending Federal lawsuit against the tobacco industry are unscientific and specious. His assertion that smoking is "not addictive as medical science has long defined addiction" is presumptuous, if for no other reason than the tobacco magnates and their subservient "scientists" acknowledged the addictive nature of tobacco in their own internal memos. Speaking as a former clinician with twenty years of experience treating smoking-related diseases, the fact that only 10 % of smokers are able to quit unaided should be enough testimony to their addiction to counter Mr. Bork's blithe dismissal.
Also, Judge Bork's claim that public-health's desire to hold Big Tobacco responsible for the adverse health effects of smoking is based on "bluenosed self-righteousness" ignores the ghastly toll of death, disease and disability left in smoking's wake. And accusing politicians of cowardice for not having the fortitude to outlaw tobacco is incredibly naive: the Federal and state governments have come to become almost as dependent on smoking-for tax revenue-as smokers are.
Notwithstanding the questionable merits of this particular action, Judge Bork's noting that the U.S.Government "knew" that cigarette smoking was hazardous, and thus has no grounds for recovery, is disingenuous. Due to its long, successful campaign of deception and misrepresentation, the tobacco industry hid the real nature of the risks involved in smoking from regulators, doctors, and especially from their yearly crop of youthful converts. The "government warning" to which the writer alludes has had no effect on protecting public health; on the contrary, it has had the effect of absolving the tobacco cartel of responsibility, functioning as a shield for the industry's nefarious behavior. It's about time they were finally held to the same standard as every other industry in our nation.
