Life is a drag...of smoke!

Cigarette smoking is injurious to one's health. Isn't this statement
one of the most taken for granted ones in our collective memories? Even
those who are addicted to lighting the coffin nail appear to understand
what it does to their anatomy and yet they puff away. It's truly
baffling that this one killing habit can bring the most educated,
wealthy entrepreneur and the rikshawallah in the same league.

A very dear friend and I have had endless discussions on this topic.
The end result each time? We agree to disagree. And he is not one to
give up either on the habit or on debating with me because he has, what
he claims, an arsenal of arguments. Every time I tell him he is at a
greater risk of developing cancer of the lungs, mouth, oesophagus and
all other forms of the disease, emphysema, cardio-vascular problems,
bronchitis, pneumonia, vascular constriction, impotence, Graves'
disease and a million other things; I get the same response: All of us
have to die one day. You'll die wondering what is so special about
smoking and I'll die having experienced the feeling. So who's better
off? I am prompted to tell him that ignorance is most definitely bliss
in this case but seeing his cock sure expression, I resist. And we come
to the next point.

It is an addiction my friend, which not only affects you physically but
has its own psychological dimensions too. Instead of resisting the
temptation to smoke and building your own will power, you are giving
in. You are being weak, I implore. And all because of a stupid
cigarette butt? I am told that I am missing a very crucial point here.
And the rationale? Here it is: Once you develop a habit and then decide
to give up on it, is a greater demonstration of determination and self
control, than resisting something you have never experienced. Once you
know the pleasures of dragging in the smoke that lightens your mind and
heart, and then to fight it back is a bigger challenge! That's the real
test. And this habit does not make me weak; on the contrary, whenever I
decide to give up smoking (and that will happen only when I get bored
of it) it will only strengthen me. So you see, it's beneficial for my
psyche.

All right, let me hit him hard with the issue of relationships. I ask
him: Do you honestly think that a girl would like to go out with you?
Why would she like to inhale all that smoke and increase her chances of
all the various diseases I enlisted earlier? Maybe the first few times
she does not complain, but what about a real long-term relationship?
And when you get married, your habit would make her a passive smoker
and could affect the health of your kids! Do you know that your smoking
could increase the chances of your wife having a miscarriage or damage
the foetus irreparably? Are you willing to be responsible for the low
mental capacity of your innocent children? He looked at me long and
hard. And burst into laughter. While I looked with a nonplussed
expression he said: I am good looking, intelligent, earn a handsome
salary, live comfortably and have a great future. So tell me, am I not
perfect? And I know for a fact that no one likes a perfect person. So,
I smoke! At least it wards off the jealous ones away from me! Moreover,
it helps me get rid of unwanted relationships. No unnecessary baggage
to take care of. I smoke and they disappear into thin air. And you know
that I don't believe in this crap of changing myself for someone else.
If she likes me enough to marry me then she can live with this habit,
for what other "flaw" do I have? And do you know that out of the entire
population that smokes, 32\% are women? So I might just find my soul
mate! And dear lady, I have always wanted to do good to the orphaned
kids of the country. So is this not the best excuse to adopt a child?
What you call a "bad" habit is actually making me do good deeds,
pal!

Yeah, right! And what about your yellow teeth? What about the pre
mature wrinkles on your face? What about all the money you are blowing
up? Once again that innocuous smile plays across his face and these
words flow out: I am touched by your concerns my friend. And believe me
I floss every day. The fluoride content in the water at my place caused
my teeth to be yellow right from the time I was in school, so don't
attribute it wrongly to this. And now they won't turn any more yellow.
Besides, even if they did I'd say I had gold teeth implanted! And
wrinkles? I kind of like looking mature, you know. It becomes me. And
money?well, I guess that's a valid point you have there. Does cost me a
bomb if I work out the statistics. But then again, what price pleasure?
Who should be the judge? We spend our money on things that we want, and
that brings us pleasure. Food, clothes, boats, hobbies, the list is
endless. So why not smoking?

This discussion, as usual, would not lead us anywhere. And as you might
have guessed by now, I have given up arguing. I honestly do not care
why anyone wishes to smoke. The reasons are theirs and none of my
business, or anybody else's, for that
matter. To me they are irrelevant and unimportant. I can only speak for
myself. I am neither a saint nor a preacher, nor do I wish to play God.
Delving into the
medical, physical, and mental aspects of prolonged use of tobacco is
futile. There appears no need to ramble on about the dangers of smoking
as that would only mean that I am insulting their intelligence. As for
my friend, he promises to give up this habit some day. Hope he stays
around till then!