An attack on human liberty

This letter is regarding the council agenda news of October 5 regarding smoking to be banned on council controlled land.

May I take issue with the word "control"?

Council administers the care of public land, but the people own and control it.

And to take away the right to engage in a passive and legal activity as smoking is an attack upon human liberty and an infringement against human rights.

I believe action under the United Nations Charter could be taken against the council.

As for smoking being unacceptable social behaviour, it seems the wheel has turned the full circle.

In past decades smoking was not only socially acceptable but desirable.

Some doctors then advised nervous and stressful people to take up smoking.

Glamorous and tough Hollywood actors were wreathed in clouds of cigarette smoke.

During the World Wars, wounded diggers were given a smoke whether they smoked or not.

So whether you like it or not, smoking is part of our culture.

Indeed, the American Indian's weed has been visited on the whole world - a pleasant addiction that can turn nasty, like many pleasures in life.

Keith Whitfield, Woy Woy