I don't expect all the smokers I know to think I am doing something good. Some will think its good and these are the people who are happy for me. There are sadly a few who are not going to cheer you on. One of my "friends" has put obstacles in my way instead. Should I really call him friend? This is what he said:
"Don't you know that some of the nicest people are heavy smokers and drinkers? My uncle Sam started smoking at 65 but died at a ripe old age of 90. Don't look on the outside but look at someone's character instead. Everyone loved uncle Sam, he was such a kind person and such a cool dude etc etc" My "friend" then went on to tell me smoking is not harmful for everyone and that it all depends on genes - implying that uncle Sam and him had the "right" genes, so quitting smoking doesn't make sense to his family or his stock. I thought that his talk was nonsense and was simply denial and ignorance to the fact that not smoking is better than smoking. Do we really have to get into an argument about whether its better to smoke or not? Of course its better NOT to smoke! I really wonder what kind of person uncle Sam was too? Did uncle Sam think that he was a good example to children? I don't think uncle Sam is as wise or as kind as people make him out to be and that we might be giving him too much credit. Could uncle Sam be a stereotype that the cigarette companies formerly used to use to make you think that you could be cool, hip and friendly because you smoke their products?
Whatever it is, the point is that there are so many stories out there about this guy or that guy not being harmed by smoking. I don't believe them anymore. I believe that giving up smoking for a day at a time is a wonderful thing, especially if you are hooked on cigarettes. What a terrible vice smoking is and how dependent we become on nicotine, always having to make sure that we have enough cigarettes around to have our fix and we get irritable and restless when our nicotine supply is threatened or interrupted. Smoking makes you breathless, it restricts your circulation, it gives you bad breath and does not do you any favours at all.