To The Editor, Knoxville News-Sentinel:

The letter to the editor on Jan. 21, "Help TennCare: boost cigarette taxes," smacks of big government statism.

The writer stated that people don't need to smoke. He is entitled to his opinion. He even has a right to control conduct, including smoking, in his car or on his property.

However, he goes wrong when suggesting that the government should, under the guise of the public interest or promoting morality, be everyone's mommy and daddy.

Most public places are actually private. Let the property owner decide. This is the real tragedy of anti-smoking laws. It is not smoker versus anti-smoker but what the owner wants to offer to his or her customers.

And if one private property owner wants the air filled with smoke - to suit his or her customers - that is enough for me to defend his or her choice.

Chris Fortner

Knoxville