In response to the people who think second-hand smoke is harmless, such as the author of the letter, "Reducing rights of smokers limits freedom for everyone," Feb. 23, the American Cancer Society sites numerous health problems related to second-hand smoking on its Web site, www.cancer.org.

In the United States alone, each year second-hand smoke is responsible for an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 deaths from heart disease in people who are not current smokers; about 3,000 lung cancer deaths in non-smoking adults; other respiratory problems in nonsmokers, including coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, and reduced lung function; 150,000 to 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections (such as pneumonia and bronchitis) in children younger than 18 months of age, which result in 7,500 to 15,000 hospitalizations, and increases in the number and severity of asthma attacks in about 200,000 to one million asthmatic children.

As a graduate of the College of Health and Human Development and an active volunteer of the American Cancer Society, I apologize if "health nuts" whining makes you sick. However, I believe nonsmokers have a right to have a fun evening out on the town without concern over any of the above health risks.