I don’t understand why the editorial board has suddenly become the great defender of the “meek” and “powerless” tobacco giants. In their Oct. 11 editorial, they said that it was outrageous that a woman be awarded $28 billion in punitive damages. I disagree.

What is really outrageous is that the tobacco companies have been selling an inherently dangerous product for decades. It is an addictive drug that is stronger than an addiction to cocaine. We know that tobacco companies have been manipulating the amount of nicotine in cigarettes like a drug dealer to hook smokers.

The word punitive comes from the word punishment. It is supposed to hurt the profitability of the company to continue its practices. Otherwise they will continue their practices oblivious to all the pain and agony they cause.

Editorial board, it is more than about having ones heart in the right place it is about punishment! Why feel outrage for a purveyor of death?

Tom Blair

Senior

Spanish and secondary education