They're coming. The anti-smoke nazis are already gearing up their campaigns to capitalize on Johnny Carson's death. Most news reports prominently mention that Carson was a frequent smoker and that he died of emphysema, a disease attributed to smoking. The stories about the dangers of emphysema have already started.

Now I don't doubt the facts surrounding Mr. Carson's death, nor the dangers of emphysema or smoking. But I will point out that the man was 79 years old. He had already outlived the average life span by more than half a decade. He chose to smoke and considering his longevity, lived a full and happy life. He may have suffered from the disease in his final years, but how many people die in perfect health?

Even Carson himself used to say: "I know a man who gave up smoking, drinking, sex, and rich food. He was healthy right up to the day he killed himself."

Then there was the esteemed Sir Winston Churchill, who must have died a happy man: "My rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them."