Cutting through the tobacco haze

Oh, thank you for publicizing the hip places our teens can go to hang out and smoke! (“Where Things Get Hazy,� April 7). My compliments to your photographer for the arty shot of the cool guys blowing smoke; maybe they can teach other kids to form those perfect smoke rings. And never mind that the vast majority of water pipes are used to smoke pot; that makes it even more illicit and fun.

Maybe next week you can rate the friendliest and classiest places for dates to go and watch strippers.

I’m sure the owners of these rip-off lounges would all stand in a row and swear that they have no knowledge that this activity poses any health risk, leads to increased cigarette smoking, or normalizes, glamorizes and promotes smoking. The tobacco industry couldn’t buy a more effective advertisement.

Neal Osherow

Los Angeles

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Great! Just what the Times should be doing -- promoting the use of a product illegal in other public (and many private) venues. Oh, the obligatory scary quotes from a cancer doctor were there, but that is not why the article was written, right?

It was written to promote a disgusting, sick, addictive habit which ultimately kills its users. Don’t cop-out with “We’re simply covering a cultural and unique L.A.-type thing which people might find interesting.� Someone there is supposed to show some “editorial discretion,� aren’t they? Or were they out smoking something when the writer pitched this dangerous tale?

Shame on you guys!

Steve Parker

La Quinta