To the editor:

Today I received Dillons’ weekly flier in my newspaper and was pleased to see an advertisement for its participation in the Mid-Kansas Race for the Cure, Sept. 24 in Wichita.  I was disappointed to discover, in the same flier, an advertisement for cigarettes!

The plethora of health hazards caused by tobacco products is common knowledge, and I will refrain from reiterating all of those hazards here. It is true that many individuals with breast cancer have never smoked cigarettes, but a quick search of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure website points out, “Women who smoked had an increased risk of invasive breast cancer compared with women who didn’t smoke,” and “Women who are at increased risk of breast cancer may further increase their risk if they smoke.”

The profit made from tobacco products must be bittersweet when it comes at the expense of our loved ones, our friends and neighbors, and possibly the individuals whose family and friends will one day wear pink ribbons and “Walk for the Cure” in honor of them.

Perhaps if Dillons officials are truly interested in supporting this cause, they will begin by halting their advertisements for tobacco products, which are known to contribute to many types of cancer.  Better yet, perhaps they will consider eliminating the sale of tobacco products in their stores.

Think of the positive message that would send to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization, to those who have battled or watched loved ones battle cancer, and to our community!