Proposition 10

Although most adults must certainly appreciate the intent of Rob Reiner’s Prop. 10 (Oct. 1), it goes too far. For certain, every step should be taken to dissuade children from smoking cigarettes. But, the initiative, as written, will unfairly penalize another group that is far removed from catering to the smoking of cigarettes by children. When was the last time you saw a child smoking a cigar?

There are hundreds of thousands of cigar smokers in California. Under the auspices of Prop. 10--assuming that it becomes law--as of Jan. 1, 1999, fine, hand-rolled cigars will increase in price by approximately 62%. And, on July 1, the excise tax on cigars will go up by a whopping 97%!

The cigar industry doesn’t have the resources of “big tobacco”; it cannot afford to mount a campaign against Prop. 10. It must depend on the wisdom of the voters to understand that the initiative is tantamount to using a Howitzer to kill a mosquito.

LYN A. SHERWOOD

San Juan Capistrano

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After reading about Reiner’s proposed new taxes and bureaucracy, I know why he was called “the Meathead.”

RONALD A. ROSIEN

Los Angeles