This is in response to a letter from Carmen Villegas published in the Jan. 20 edition of the Simi Valley Acorn. Ms. Villegas is my neighbor (and, incidentally, a gifted artist); we share the discomfort of living among neighbors who smoke cigarettes.

In my case, I’m a singer, and in 2011 I had bronchitis in February and December. My physician was puzzled since I’ve been able to avoid respiratory infections for so many years.

Management at our complex, Heywood Gardens, is very much involved and concerned about the smoking pollution. Every morning, the assistant manager opens all the doors on the first floor to let the air sweep away the stench of the cigarettes.

Carmen mentions three or four smokers; I’m aware of only one. She is 79, an intelligent and meticulous woman who would love to be able to stop smoking. She’s tried and failed repeatedly.

Since cigarettes are a legal substance, available at every neighborhood store, there’s no ordinance to protect non-smokers from the addicted folks. And, yes, it’s a serious addiction.

Until there is a city/state/ federal ban on cigarettes, we’re going to have to coexist with this unpleasant practice. Marly Harris Simi Valley