Hey, how about some good news.

[kandrathe]

And yes, my goal is to scare the shit out of you about smoking

Studies have shown* that scare tactics** to change behavior don't work, for a number of reasons.

...

*citation needed, I know, but too lazy

** Citation granted.

Since Shoju started getting all personal and stuff...

My father was an addicted smoker. He prevented me from smoking by making my indoor household duty taking out the garbage, and cleaning the garbage can (before the advent of plastic garbage bags). My mom's side of the family tends to be on the neuro-atypical, with them being pretty smart, but quirky. That is me. :-) So, I am smart, but I was socially awkward, and probably border line Asbergers. I was mostly one of those people who did not pick up on social cues, I was blunt, and didn't really see a need to filter my thoughts very well. Anyway, long story made shorter, I had then what is now called sensory processing disorder -- being overly sensitive to certain sensory stimuli. I grew out of it in my twenties when my neuro-development caught up with me (but I'm reliving it in my sons now). For the sensory stuff, through practicing TM, yoga and martial arts when I was at the University, I was able to almost entirely tune out almost all sensory stimuli.

Imagine, cigarette butts, ashes, coagulated with decaying food, and fetid milk as a pungent gray lumpy gravy. So I can't smell cigarette smoke without getting physically nauseous. Not so much fun being trapped in the car for hours either, for him or me. He either had to deal with his addiction, or with me barfing in his car. I had to deal with him being extremely cranky, or being physically ill. It was just one rift in our relationship.

For my work, since I'm in involved in mentoring students, I'm committed to avoiding anything addictive our culture struggles with in solidarity with those who need strong role models. Now, I'm even trying to cut out all toxins from my diet and environment. It started some years ago with Diet Coke, which if I drank more 2 cans within a 24 hours period made me really ill. I've cut out almost all sources of artificial colorings, flavorings, and unnatural additives.