Correspondent of the Day

Editor, Times-Dispatch: The recent article on smoking bans was too balanced when one considers the dangers of secondhand tobacco smoke. Although we live in Maryland, we often dine out in Virginia as we travel on business or visit our daughter, relatives, or friends. We always avoid restaurants that permit smoking, as the smoke makes the entire experience very unpleasant and unhealthy.

Unfortunately, because the smoking policy of restaurants varies, it is sometimes difficult to know in advance which places disallow smoking. Virginia should follow Maryland and many other places in completely disallowing smoking in restaurants. Richard Reis. Silver Spring, Md.