This is quite a long note but I did originally write it to someone who had an old flame that was a smoker and she was missing him and therefore might also be missing smoking (recently stopped) as they smoked together in the Good Days.......Someone thought the posy might help others so I am posting it as a post from me - well it is, but you know what I mean!.....here goes: -
If I "told" you to jump off a cliff would you? If you saw Lemmings running off a cliff would you? Nope! and all because you know its wrong and it is bound to hurt! So we have common sense and the ability to understand the risks we take -even just crossing the road. I used to smoke 50/60 a day and my wife 20/35 a day. That on its own was costing a fortune to sustain and I knew that too. However, when I was in the services and getting duty free cigarettes, it did not hurt. When I felt and had a reasonable job it did not hurt. Then coming up to retirement it was beginning to hurt and I was beginning to get tight chested and did cough a little. Then one day I decided to give it up and went to the chemist and saw the pharmacist and joined a NHS help stop smoking programme as did my wife. At week three she fell apart and said she was not ready but now only smokes 10 a day. I carried on and with the aid of patches cracked it. It was not so hard but only because I really wanted to stop because of the money and that I was now diabetic and liked to look at my feet! I also liked life and did not want to voluntarily endanger my health. I have looked back and remember smoking and enjoying it but those times were few and far between and di not cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to experience! I live music from the 60's and 70's with so many happy memories however my days in platform boots, and flared trousers are long gone. As are the days when I got out of a club on the Isle of Wight, missed the last bus, walked across the island through the night to get the first morning ferry and be back in Portsmouth in time to get back to my ship to begin the working day. We change, perceptions change and you never know, the old flame is probably bald with a pot belly by now. Think of all the clothes you will be able to buy, and the perfume, not to hide the awful (and it is) smoke smell but to enhance your beauty and confidence. Save and buy a new ca, a holiday, something nice for the house or jewellery just for you. If you think of a positive for starting smoking again, think of five for not. No smell, money in bank, healthier, no cough, better breathing with more stamina. Think also of how much you have added to your life and not succumbing to the horrible diseases associated with smoking. Since a recent health scare, my wife has seen the light as lucky that she has a second chance and has now stopped. Motive? Fear of ill health. I have mentioned my motives, yours should be just as strong. One thing the pharmacist said to me is that giving up smoking can be as difficult as someone giving up heroin and is why you will need assistance from someone - mine was the pharmacist every two weeks when I went to get the next lot of patches. Good for you for getting started - never say I can't because can't means I won't. Keep going, you and all your friends will congratulate you for doing it -even the smokers. Sorry for this being a bit long, but well worth the effort to advise and support you