Dragon's Den star Duncan Bannatyne was on BBC Breakfast this morning talking about his new anti-smoking initiative in schools.
GBP 2,111 (the average annual per capita cost of indulging the smoking addiction) is on offer to the youngster deemed to have the most novel way of persuading his/her parents to kick the habit.
Of course, in the spirit of true fairness, part of the discussion's entertainment was provided by "Sue", a die-hard smoker and campaigner for the rights of adults to make an informed decision. And she, predictably, was fiercely opposed to this new assault on the sensibilities of adult addicts.
Having been a smoker for many years ... and knowing how annoying it was to constantly be badgered to give up ... I remain fascinated by the mentality of smokers.
The right to control our own fate is the logic that always surfaces in the face of evidence that smoking will kill you in a most undignified manner. Oh, and the mythical auntie who smoked all her life and reached the ripe old age of 90-something.
Is this the addiction talking, or are millions of otherwise sentient adults profoundly immature and delusional? Of course it's the addiction.
And, as non-smokers, we understand this. Sort of.
What I don't understand is how selfish people can be. OK, so one can't reason with an addict who is grasping at straws ... but surely these folk must understand just how antisocial the habit is? Don't they care about the smell? Most embrace personal hygiene. Most hate the smell of garlic, or halitosis ... or body odour.
So why don't they recognise that the smell of stale cigarette smoke is every bit as offensive to non-smokers?
As with dieting and weight-loss, all common sense yields to far more powerful psychological forces. Let's hope that we can begin to understand a little bit more about these so that more people can become free ... and so the rest of us don't have to put up with the stench just to interact with people we care about.
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4 comments:
As an ex-smoker, I must say that I never realised how much smokers STINK! And their houses. I fully agree with peoples' rights to smoke, drink and go out with bad men, but now I realise what I smelt like to my non-smoking friends. And, no - you couldn't MAKE me quit until I CHOSE to become a non-smoker.
The need to remain in control trumps all other considerations. Makes you think!
Hi,
I can say we have the right about what we do,but at the same time we shouldn't ignore other peoples' right
to live clean free.Various anti smoking campaigns have been initiated, which is a good sign for the younger generation.
Thanks for your comment Daniel
What's sad to me is that the whole mentality revolves around selfish people and not consideration for others. Young people need to understand the risks, not only to their lungs, but also to their circulation ... but they also need to gain some appreciation that smoking affects other people too ... and that this is every bit as important. It seems that the only time people wake up is if they themselves are affected. But we live among others ... and their health and sensibilities must surely count too.
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