Letter: Appalling news judgement

EDITOR,
I am appalled by your Dec. 17 “Tobacco shop opens doors in SV” free advertisement and boosterism poorly disguised as news for a business that sells an addictive product that kills people. Would you wax so enthusiastic over a head shop or medical marijuana clinic? At a time when most Californians have given up the lethal nicotine habit, it seems both clueless and callous to call attention to a tobacco store, not to mention reporting the owner’s complaints about tobacco being singled out for taxes without any comment or explanation as to why that’s so — in fact, California residents voted to raise taxes on tobacco in order to discourage its use. Why? Because it’s without redeeming social value. What were you thinking?
Sue Tarjan, Bonny Doon