I am also a Born again Breather as is Colin. I was a very heavy smoker until 7 1/2 years ago. I tried to quit many times and finally succeeded on my oldest daughters bithday. She was devoting her career to Cancer Research so that was the start of my smoke-free life.

I still miss it (I know thats stupid) but it does not bother me. We have came a long way with smoking restrictions. I can remember sitting in a plane during Trans-Atlantic flights smoking my brains out in the plane beside children, non-smokers, etc. How totally sick that was, yet at that time it was the norm to do that and no one complained. I still can't believe we did that. We used to travel in the car and anyone that smoked would do so, it didn't matter who was in the car, infants or children or whoever. Yes we have progressed, too late for some though whose lives have already been damaged or lost through smoking.

My mother smoked most of her life and finally quit when I had to rush her to the Hospital because she couldn't breathe, she was 82. She survived but for the last 3 years she has been on oxygen all the time because she has COPD which is usually caused by smoking.

Now any of my friends that smoke do not even do it in their own homes when they want to have a smoke, they go outside. So if they are anyplace else they do the same as they would at home, they go outside.
I sit with smokers outside, that never bothers me, but now I can't handle it in close quarters inside where it is contained.

I apologize for going on.

 

The thing that kills me is seeing parents smoking in the car with their young children AND with the windows up.

But doesn't everyone agree that going to a bar is so much more pleasant as you don't end up like smelling like the bar when you leave?

 

Wow, the subject is a tough one isn't it...........
I can speak for many here that the last thing they want to do is **** disturb.
Many of us have smoked and been there, so we know it's not an easy thing to deal with.
For those who still smoke, I don't think it's much to ask for them to go outside and not pollute the inside air wherever that might be.

That's a good point, lg, about parents smoking in the presence of their kids in the car and in the house. Hardly fair is it.....and the kids have no say.
That shows real ignorance.
I agree that it's so much nicer to not smell like smoke or an ashtray --

We're in a heck of a transition period between a smoking society and a non-smoking society. It's tough but I think we're headed in the right direction.

C.

 

I think that was one of the weirdest things about Europe - so clean in most respects but *everyone* smoked, and inside, while eating, in hotels, elevators, it was pretty rank.

 

Revealing and thought provoking story Wayne. Your daughter and mother would have to have a profound impact on your former habit and attitude.

Times are really changing concerning smoking and fortunately for the better. It is incredible to think people smoked as frequently and freely years ago as you describe and also as I have witnessed. Just look at an old movie. Unbelievable.

Congrats to you and to Colin for kicking the habit.

 

Spoken like a true smoking addict.

Thankfully we are making progress on ridding society of this filthy, unhealthy and costly habit.

 

Thanks, Deane. As Wayne has said, at times it's difficult to resist the temptation even after so long off tobacco, but talking about it sure helps, and encouragement and the occasional pat on the back is a bonus.

When you are a smoker, you think very little of it except that you know it's not good for you, but after you stop and look back, you think to yourself how foolish you were and how could I have done such a thing to myself and others nearby.

It's a real tough situation if you're still a smoker and still hooked.
But people win that battle every day and I hope that all smokers do eventually...

tnx for the kind words.

C.

 

You're welcome Colin. Those are sage words. I tend to be harsh on smokers but equally proud of those who fought and changed their lifestyle. Good for you.

 

I agree. It was shocking actually. Generally people are so much more healthy from a weight/fitness/activity level in Europe.

Actually it seems like they're 20+ years behind North America with smoking and also with their eating. The overweight/obesity thing hasn't hit them yet.

 

Anyone that sucessfully kicks the habit deserves a *HUGE* congratz.

I've seen several familly members go through the try>fail>try>fail>try struggle for years.
Thankfully they finally made it

As a non-smoker it's hard to imagine just how difficult it is;
But seeing familly members first hand I appreciate and am truely impressed with their success.

 

Ya, absolutely. We were shocked at how *fit* most people seemed, how much biking, running, walking, jogging was going on, serving sizes for meals; and then you get into a restaurant and it's filled with smoke. Whacky.

As for quitting, huge thumbs up from me. Both my parents quit when my mom got breast cancer and I know how hard it was for them. I felt better when I stopped drinking sugary sodas, I can't even imagine how not smoking after decades of it feels.

 

I saw it precisely the same way in Europe . Strange dichotomy.

True enough on the smoking and sugar drinks. I've never smoked but used to drink 2L of pop a day and had poor eating habits. Many years later I'm in the best shape of my life. It feels fantastic to have so much energy and be so fit.

 

Your right to smoke cannot infringe on my right not to smoke (second-hand).

Music is not harmful to peoples' health.

Your arguments are weak.

And I'm a former pack-a-day smoker, so I outrank you.

 

im a former pack a day smoker to, you outrank me why?

 

and loud music can be harmful, its a fact just as smoking causes cancer.