I read Carolynn Erickson’s letter in My Nickel’s Worth (”Leave smokers alone,” Feb. 18) and agree with her. I spent time in the U.S. Navy in World War II so we could be free to do as we please.

I also watched three of my brothers die with lung cancer, and four of my brothers-in-law die. Not an easy way to go. They were all heavy smokers. Started when they were young.

I have asthma bad and will die the same way, but they tell me it only takes three minutes to choke to death. Smoking takes years sometimes.

I remember a young lady’s story in the Reader’s Digest 20 years ago and, I quote, she was only 45 years old and started smoking cigarettes when she was very young. She said, ”You say you can’t quit smoking, but you will quit, you surely will.”

Waldo Roff

Madras