Pirengle's Smoking Thread

[kandrathe]

My father smoked, but it did not kill him. It just made those around him suffer. He eventually quit when he was remarried later in his life.

Beyond the obvious second hand smoke issues, especially when a passenger in a vehicle, I was tasked with garbage detail which was always a greasy concoction of sour milk, rotting garbage, butts, and cigarette ashes. Yum. No, I never had the desire to smoke then, and as I've grown older I try to free myself of all those types of demons that bind.

I'm sure that heroin or other addictive drugs might be pleasant, however they too quickly convince us to leave reality behind. I've heard all the excuses from my father about why smoking is good, but in looking at all the downsides I cannot fathom why anyone wants to smoke who is not addicted. I can't help but pity those who turn to nicotine, alcohol, or other drugs to escape an unpleasant reality. When they sober up, reality is back, and usually with added consequences.

I support banning smoking in public places, and am no fan of second hand smoke. On the other hand, I am a proponent of personal freedom. If it were merely a nicotine patch issue, I wouldn't care what people chose to do with their own bodies. I would hope they would choose a healthy lifestyle, and pursue a good quality of life (and, then there is the social burden of caring for those who live unhealthy which is for another discussion).