I am adamantly opposed to the misguided effort currently proposed to weaken the smoking ban at Augusta Mental Health Institute. There is no constitutional right to smoke. Convincing those patients sick and disabled from tobacco toxins and addiction that they must maintain their smoking habit as an aid to getting well is preposterous and does not pass the straight-face test.

Tobacco smoke has mind-altering, mind-boggling, performance-lowering, personality-changing, and allergy- and illness-inducing and intensifying properties – all of which contribute to a mental patient’s demise. There is no legitimate excuse for weakening health rules and good treatment practices.

Ray Perkins Jr.

Waldoboro