Of course not. They’ll do less for your health, in fact, than most hideous car crashes. But that’s not the point, is it? We already know that they’re unhealthy. This has been drilled into our minds for what may as well be eons and yet 19% of the US smokes.
But whatever. These are boring statistics that really aren’t what you’d call “unpublished”. What I’m more interested in are the aspects of the “tobacco entity” that allow this habit to continue. Why?
Because I smoke. It’s expensive, has turned what used to be swimmer’s lungs into the biological equivalent of a tired old leaf blower, and in my circles smoking is more deadly to your social status than it is to your mortality. But I do it anyway, because (here’s the good part)…
Hot or not?
I enjoy it. Genuine enjoyment and pleasure happens when I spark one up. Turkish Royals, pink BIC, hell yeah. I love it while driving, while eating, after sex, while at work, while hiking, or after I leave the gym (yes, you read that right). Pretty much any activity I do, besides sleeping, is made better with a cigarette.
I’m addicted, hopelessly. I say this with a tiny dash of shame, or much less salt than Emeril uses. I’ve been smoking my entire adult life, for 12 years. I’m 24 (hello?!). Before you count years on your fingers I’ll go ahead and tell you that I was 12 the first time I took a puff – a beautiful, blue, billowing…never mind. Anyway, this despite being brought up in a good family, in an excellent school (where I did well), and in an affluent area of town.
My next point, and this is the big one, is that I don’t know what life is like without cigarettes. I have never actually lived adult life without them and the thought of not having tobacco at arm’s reach is downright scary. How could it not be?
I don’t do drugs, I exercise, and I’m very conscious of what I eat. The juxtapose of cigarettes in my life is nearly laughable. I know I can’t smoke forever, but for now I shall. So if you’ll excuse me, I have something to take care of…outside.
Guyliner 