ENFORCING BAN WILL PAY OFF IN THE LONG RUN

My congratulations to Perry Hazelwood and the Jackson and Cape Girardeau police departments for their efforts to enforce the law regarding the sale of cigarettes and alcohol to minors. However, I am not surprised regarding the results and findings that they have had in their experience with the sting operation. These statistics are quite consistent with my own efforts three years ago when I sent two 13-year-old girls out to buy cigarettes successfully in 24 out of 26 stores in town. Six weeks after the state law passed against the sale of cigarettes to minors, the same girls bought cigarettes from the same 24 out of 26 stores.

Cigarettes are the main gateway drug to marijuana. Marijuana is the main gateway drug to harder drugs such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines. It has been shown by a number of studies that when the cigarette laws are enforced, it significantly curtails the incidence of smoking by children in the eighth grade-and-under age group -- by more than half in some studies. When the sting operations are repeated on a regular basis, and when the store owners, convenience stores, grocery stores and others know that these laws will be enforced, it can make a significant impact on the percentage and incidence of cigarette smokers.

The incidence of cigarette smokers has steadily declined in the adult-age group since the mid-1960s, when it peaked at nearly 45 percent of the population. It is now down to 29 percent of the population. On the contrary, the incidence of smoking among high school students has climbed from 15 percent to 29 percent in the same time period. This is a reflection of the tobacco industry's targeting our youth, recognizing that "once hooked, always hooked."

When we enforce laws restricting cigarette sales to minors, we increase the likelihood of better health for our children and better health for our nation. It reduces the drug problem, and it reduces the incidence of upper-respiratory infections and missed work. People who smoke have two and a half times more incidence of upper-respiratory infections and days lost from the work force due to illness. The incidence of lung cancer, emphysema and cardiovascular disease could be reduced, resulting in a significant impact on the cost of medical care.

It is efforts such as the one carried out by Mr. Hazelwood and the Jackson and Cape Girardeau police departments, along with the sheriff's office, that can make a significant difference in our region. The gain in the economy from the sale of cigarettes to minors cannot compare to the loss to the economy in the ways already mentioned.

Until we begin to see this connection between the addictive nature of nicotine and the susceptibility of our children, our society will continue to suffer in ways that are nearly beyond comprehension. On the contrary, as we recognize the blessing and the gifts that our children represent and the tremendous potential that they possess, that recognition should generate within us the responsibility to make a commitment to protect them from the harm that lies in a lifetime of nicotine addiction, whether it be chewed, snuffed or inhaled.

Elimination of cigarette machines and advertisement of cigarettes for billboards and magazines and sponsorship of athletic events would greatly help to limit the glorification of this detrimental addiction from our society -- and spare our children. Again, my congratulations and commendation to Perry Hazelwood and his group. I encourage him to continue his efforts. Bravo!

Richard A. Martin is a doctor affiliated with SEMO Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery Inc. in Cape Girardeau.