To the editor:

I must confess two things up front. First, I am a former country club member and cigar smoker. Second, my wife and I read Todd Dorman's column regularly and with relish. He seems to be able to express a strong opinion without rancor. I hope you take this letter in the same vein.

As regards to Dorman's May 28 article 'No stogies with your bogeys?” I take fervent exception to his conclusions. Smokers in general, and cigar smokers in particular, seem to have no concept as to how offensive many of us find their noxious behavior. Whether following a smoker down a pedestrian sidewalk or walking through their offensive cloud to enter a business, their personal habits intrude on our life and our personal rights.

Many smokers seem to feel that their individual pleasure takes precedence over the happiness, comfort and health of the many. Some seem to feel that the fact that they are smoking outdoors justifies their behavior, and are aggressive and hostile if asked to stop.

Yes, if you are in the deep rough, 200 yards from the nearest golfer, your fumes may be innocent. But, if you had any idea how far those fumes travel, you would understand (whether or not you care) how many you could be offending.

Did I hide my rancor?

Richard R. Lamb

Marion