To the editor:

While standing in line at a local store recently, I overheard a conversation regarding Lawrence Memorial Hospital. It seems that smoking is now completely banned on the property. Hospital employees and visitors may not smoke anywhere on hospital property, including inside their cars parked on hospital property.

Although I am not a smoker myself, I still feel this is a complete injustice!

Stressed-out hospital employees and visitors who must deal with the stress and sorrow of a sick relative should be allowed to smoke on hospital property. Catching a whiff of smoke when entering or exiting the hospital poses the tiniest of health risks.

Meanwhile, inside Lawrence Memorial Hospital one finds endless snack and soda vending machines. These are filled to the brim with sugar and fat and calories in pretty packages that may be consumed almost anywhere, are socially acceptable and cost much less than a pack of cigarettes. Diet can cause cancers and heart disease, just as smoking can. This is a great example of hypocrisy.

Cammy Challender,

Lawrence