I am a woman or a man.

I am young or old.

I am a doctor, lawyer, factory worker.

I am a construction worker. I am a politician and or a hairdresser.

I am a street person who has fought for my country as a soldier.

I am made up of all and every one that is a part of this land.

And what makes us one and the same?

We are smokers.

Our choice to smoke has become a big issue. Now we are treated as if we are carrying a lethal weapon.

Every time we light up, our smoke becomes a great health issue. But for us, we are aware of the risks we take.

For the most part, we respect the fact that we know where to light up and where not to.

We are always being reminded by others that we should quit this nasty habit. But I myself never say, "Hey you need to smoke." Yes, it is my choice of habit.

I feel this smoking ban has got out of hand.

I understand respecting each other's space. But the holier-than-thou attitudes are becoming a pain in my backside.

I can remove my smoking from public close quarters such as malls, restaurants. But I have a real problem with attaching bars and taverns to the list banning smoking.

I deeply feel it should be up to the independent owner. I feel half the people squawking don't even step inside these type of establishments. So live and let live. Stop stepping on my toes.

I have been judged, sentenced and treated as a criminal. A prisoner with a conviction of being a smoker.

I ask myself who is my real keeper.

Judith D. Cook

Bloomington