Quit Smoking Painlessly Now!

Tony Newman wrote

Two years ago (2007), as part of their “wellness initiative,” the Cleveland Clinic stopped hiring smokers. When the Clinic’s CEO, Delos M. Cosgrove, was asked about the program for an article in last weekend’s New York Times Magazine, he said that if it were up to him, he would also stop hiring obese people as well.

Clearly, lifestyle decisions lead to huge medical and financial costs to both the hospital and the country. The logic, according to Mr. Cosgrove and others who justify not hiring smokers and people who are obese, is that punitive sanctions will coerce smokers and overweight folks to live healthier lives. Not hiring them or charging them more money for insurance, according to their logic, would effectively persuade people to change harmful health practices.

People knows smoking causes cancer but they still smoke. People knows eating fat rich food will cause obesity but they still eat. To know and not to do is not yet to know. Until a smoker or a fat person decide enough is enough and that something got to change, they will not be swayed by what others do or don’t do to them. It may be a noble act for a noble cause, however, I doubt Mr Delos M. Cosgrove has created any long lasting message to the smokers.

Perhaps a smoker will consider smoking less when the price for a puff keeps going up.

So many years has gone past but I cannot forget my little red-hair girl and her one and only letter to me … …

When I first saw you, I was struck by your height and broad shoulders. Your twinkling eyes and easy laughter brought a blush to my cheeks. You were with your friends, and they all seemed to like you.

I was feeling shy, because I never expected to meet someone like you. When my friends invited me to join them, I was hesitating between joining them and cuddling down with a good book. But my doubts vanished when you appeared. I believe that I might have a good time out here after all. We were all introduced and everyone seemed to be having a great time, laughing and joking. I caught you stealing glances at me. And I blushed more when our eyes accidentally met.

Suddenly, you walked away from the group. I was a little surprised. But your friends looked knowingly at each other. “Going for a breath of fresh air…” was what they said. It dawned on me then, you smoked. At first, I was confused. You seemed to be such a well-balanced person. Pleasant, polite, humorous and just plain nice. I thought you were strong and steady, so I did not understand why you needed the crutch of a cigarette.

But then, I realised that I was being too hasty to judge you. I should try to accept you for who you are. Over time, as we all got to know each other better, I accepted a date from you. We talked, we laughed, we held hands. I really thought we could make something together.

But it all ended that night. There was a tangy smell floating about you. I realised it was the smell of cigarettes. Even though you did not smoke the whole time you were with me. Then, when you sent me home, I was so looking forward to our first kiss. But it was not to be.

I am sorry. You are smart, good looking (at least to me you are!) and we really click well together. But when your mouth moved near mine, the smell was over-powering. If you did not smoke the whole time we were together, and the smell was so strong; I shudder to think what will happen if you did smoke. We might have made it. We might still make it. If you could only choose, to kiss the cigarette or to kiss me.

I don’t know how to tell you in person, so I chose to write. I’m sorry I will not be there tomorrow. By the time, Chelsea (my room mate) dropped this to your place, I’m already on the train to meet my sister.

So long, take care. 

Don’t let this happen to you!

What non-smokers won’t tell smokers? Plenty. That I can assure you. Their list will definitely be longer than this list here.

This letter is especially written for smokers, so I will use the word “you” very frequently to address smokers. If you are a non-smoker reading the information to persuade a loved one to quit the addiction, you may want to print this out to share and discuss with him/her.

Well, because they love you, care for you, they chose not to tell you things that will hurt you.

They won’t. I will. Like mama said, “it’s for your own good that the truth be told”.
The brutal truth and the ugly fact are: Smokers suck. Big time.

They will not tell you to your face, but deep inside, this is how they look at you, think of you…

1. Smokers Smell like Ash Trays!
No amount of cologne can mask the stale cigarette odor that linger all over you. A burning stick of cigarette stinks, so does a stubbed one. The worst is actually the smoker himself.

The offensive odor clings to the smoker’s hair, clothes and hands. When the smoker goes into his car, his car will start to stink. When the smoker returns home, he brings home more than bacon. If the smoker smokes around his kids, they smell too.

Usually the smoker doesn’t notice that he is the source of bad smell. As a smoker, you’ll not truly comprehend how bad a smoker can smell until you are through with smoking. I guarantee you that you can smell a smoker 3 metres away then. Now, no matter how much a smoker fuss over the way he look, dress and present himself, he will fail miserably in the department of smell. Paraphrasing Shakespeare: Call a smoker by any other name, he will still smell as bad!

Remember, no amount of cologne can mask cigarette stink. A smoker still smells like an ash tray.

2. Smokers are Uncontrollable Litterbugs!
Ouch. But it is true. Smokers have cultivated a bad habit of crushing their cigarette butts on the ground or tossing them out the car’s window. Almost all smokers are guilty of these crimes. Yet, these are the same folks who will obediently throw their other garbage into the chute. These are the people who will reprimand their kids who litter the ground. Smokers, somehow, have developed a different mindset about cigarette butts, as if they are not litter, rubbish, refuse or unwanted garbage. Smokers don’t even notice they are littering when they dump the stick on the ground or flick the ashes all around them. It is like a second nature. These gestures are done without second thought, or in fact, without even thinking or realizing the action.

Imagine, you can potentially litter 20 times if you smoke 20 sticks a day. Just imagine how many cigarette-butt mountains you have created over the years?

3. Smokers are Disgusting Air Pollutants!
If the smoke from the industrial chimneys pollute the air, the same applies to smokers. In some ways, we can say smokers are inconsiderate beings. By smoking in the vicinity of non-smokers, they make the latter take in second-hand smoke plus all the harmful chemicals like nicotine and tar. Passive smokers suffer as much as smokers (see Q10 of the FAQ). It is not uncommon for a smoker’s family members (especially children) to develop asthma and other lung related diseases.

4. Smokers are Irritating Noise Pollutants!
Even though a non-smoker may sympathize with the insistent coughing of a smoker, they still find it irritable. After all, no one likes to be awaken early in the morning prematurely. Also, can you imagine the germs dancing and darting all around when you cough, sneeze and spit? They surely don’t like that either. Ever thought that you could be the one that to cause your family members, colleagues and friends to fall sick easily because of your addiction? You don’t? They do. They just don’t have the heart to tell you.

5. Smokers are Potential Fire Starters!
Cigarettes are a major source of residential, commercial, industrial and forest fires. Sure, the smokers did not do it intentionally. Still, lives were lost and properties damaged. Mothers with young children are paranoid with smokers leaving their lighters, matches, cigarettes and cigars around. Curiosity might just kill the kids. Most smokers would dismiss these allegations with a wave of their hand. It will not happen to them. Well, let’s face the brutal facts, the chances of something bad happening to you and the people around you increases substantially because of your possessions, your habit and your addiction. Non-smokers will not carry lighters, matches, cigarettes everywhere, 24/7.

6. Smokers are definitely Suffering Patients-in-Waiting!
Smokers pay higher insurance premiums because of the higher risk of contracting smoking-related diseases like lung cancer, oral cancer, asthma, respiratory diseases, etc. A young smoker will not think of life at 55 years old. But when he hit 55, he will surely wish he had stopped smoking much earlier. I’m assuming you are below 55 years old. To give you a tip how you and your health will be then: You will probably look more haggard than your actual age. Your breathing will be heavy and not as smooth as a non-smoker. Your breaths will be shorter and quicker even though you are watching the soaps docilely. Your chances of getting lung disease, cancer and stroke are many times higher than non-smokers. Smokers are more likely to spend more time in bed or in clinics and hospitals than in front of their TVs sipping beers. Don’t believe? Go check around at the hospitals to see if lots of patients with lungs and respiratory diseases are smokers and elderly.

7. Smokers are Huge Spenders!
Smokers spend a lot on cigarettes, lighters, matches, cigarette holders, cigarette pouch and such. Money spent on all these could very well be spent on essentials, food, entertainment, etc. If smokers had invested the money wisely in stocks and shares, properties or even paintings and antiques, they would be making and accumulating an awesome passive income. Such income can be their retirement funds.

Now, instead of making money, they are spending even more on insurance coverage and medical bills. Health care for sick smokers is expensive. We are not talking about doctor’s fee, medicine cost and surgery charges; we have to take into account ongoing therapy and cost of equipment like oxygen machines, tanks, inhalers, wheelchairs and walking frames. I’m sure you don’t want to spend your savings in these areas.

8. Smokers are Irresponsible Mums!
Science has proven beyond doubt that cigarette smoking is extremely harmful to the unborn child. Yet mothers-to-be could not fight the power of the addiction to stop smoking and create a healthy environment in the womb for her child. Children born of a smoking mother has higher risk of getting lung diseases and respiratory problems. See details at Q8 of the FAQ. If you are a female, married and child-less smoker, think careful before you plan to conceive. Are you willing to kick the addiction for the sake of your child? Don’t destroy a life when you create it.

9. Smokers are Boneless Society Leeches!
Some smokers claim they could not find a job, were too sick to hold down a long term job, had no money to pay rent and therefore had to turn to government hand-out. Yet somehow they manage to get a pack or two everyday. Perhaps there should be some rulings to say that smokers get less welfare benefits. It’s not fair to have the tax dollars of the non-smoking community to support the livelihood of smokers. They who help themselves deserve to be aided. I’m sure you are not like this. However, if you were, get a grip of yourself and be responsible! You don’t want to carry on hurting those who love you, care for you.

10. Smokers are as bad as Drug Addicts
Smokers, by not being able to quit smoking are as bad as drug addicts. Sure, your friends and family still love you. If you don’t believe, just tell them that you are going to quit for good, they will jump with joy, and probably pop a champaign to celebrate. Well, I got a party organized for me.

Conclusion
Having been a smoker many years, I can understand a smoker’s view…

I’ve walked a mile for a Malboro. I need a puff with my morning coffee without fail. I cannot not sneak out for a quick puff if the meeting gets too lengthy. I definitely couldn’t do without the pleasure of a smoke with my beer when I’m out with the guys. I hate it when I could not smoke and that excruciating urge to light up hit me straight on. I know your doubts and pain. I have been there, like you, done all those things that you probably have done. I know you think I’m feeling all high and mighty telling you all these because I’m an ex-smoker and you are still smoking away However, as a ex-smoker, who has finally eliminated every iota of nicotine, tar and other harmful chemicals out of my system, I now realize that my life is more rewarding in every sense of the words. I just want you to know what non-smokers think of you as a smoker. We like to look good, and stand tall with our loved one, amongst our friends and peers. So, I just want to share this with you…

I know it’s tough to believe but there is no harm trying. Stop smoking is tough but you don’t have to make it painful. I have stopped smoking via a no-pain, no withdrawal, no discomfort way. So can you. It has done me good, so it might just help you. Check out this no pain, no withdraw method of stop smoking now.

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