This letter is from a person who doesn't smoke, but my family members and my significant other of 25 years does.

So what I'm about to say will probably make some people mad, but it's called freedom of speech and peoples' rights that are being infringed upon.

The woman that's being accused of tax evasion because she bought five cartons of cigarettes, myself and others have talked about at great lengths. It's wrong, because if a law is passed, people should be aware of this.

Plus, when people do purchase their cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, etc., there should be signs that tell them how many they are allowed and if not, then she or others shouldn't be charged.

I'm sure you can think of other things in our country (more serious) to charge people with.

Plus, come on, you're putting people (such as growers, farmers, migrant workers, store owners, etc.) out of work, and an income, no matter what. Our country is losing too many rights, our freedom of everything we all fight for.

So stop, and begin thinking of our country and people who are fighting for all of our rights and the ability to live in the land of the free.

Shirley M. (Pickard) Martinez

Auburn