Smoking

MARK ALEXANDER: Today marks two years and nine full months since I last smoked a cigarette. On April 10th, it will be three full years.

Naturally, I am proud of my achievement. But I must say in all honesty that giving up smoking has been a mixed blessing. I have had no cravings. None! But it goes without saying that for a lifelong smoker as I was — for most of my adult life, I smoked a pack a day — inevitably something is missing in my life. Being single, smoking used to keep me company.

Healthwise, certain things have improved. My blood pressure is much, much lower. So much lower, in fact, that I have had to halve my medications for hypertension. Truth to tell, I am no longer hypertensive; in fact, I am quite the opposite. I have to be careful that my blood pressure is high enough!

My eyesight has also improved. Greatly! I have never had bad eyesight, but I used to have to use spectacles for reading. Since quitting smoking, I am now able to read a book, or computer screen, without reading glasses! Not bad, considering my age, I would say. Generally, I do use ready readers when reading a book, though, or when at the computer. Not because I really need them, but out of sheer laziness. Simply put, it is easier that way. I can’t remember the day I used my prescription reading glasses! Two years ago, maybe.

The worst thing about giving up smoking, as far as I am concerned, apart from the lost pleasure — I used to love a smoke — is the fact that since quitting, I have gained weight. Smoking kept my weight stable and kept me relatively slim. Since quitting, despite having a very small appetite and despite eating a very healthy diet, almost sugar-free and low in carbohydrates, I have still gained weight. This is the worst thing about being a non-smoker as far as I am concerned.

Naturally, by not smoking, I have not had to spend any money on cigarettes. That should have been a significant saving. However, my quitting coincided with a time in which energy prices and food prices have skyrocketed, so I can’t honestly say that I have felt the financial benefit of quitting.

For those of you who still smoke, enjoy the cigarettes you smoke. My quitting has in no way turned me into an anti-smoker. In fact, quite the contrary. I am very much for smokers’ rights. I deplore the current war on smoking and smokers. I hate the way that smokers have been attacked at every turn. Will I ever smoke again? Who knows? I have no intention of ever doing so. But I also know that it is very unwise ever to rule anything out in life. And to my way of thinking, people these days do far, far worse things than enjoy the smoking of a cigarette. So, if cigarettes are your thing, all I can say is this: Keep on smoking! Keep on enjoying them.

© Mark Alexander
All Rights Reserved

Saudi Arabia: Free Wedding for Quitting Smoking
BBC: A charity in the Saudi capital Riyadh has come up with a novel incentive to encourage young men to quit smoking - an all-expenses-paid wedding.

Hundreds of men have expressed interest in the anti-smoking drive, including a non-smoker who was ready to start the habit just so he could take part.

Banners in Riyadh are advertising the campaign slogan: "Kicking the habit is on you, and marriage is on us."

In much of the Arab world, the groom alone bears the cost of a wedding.

The charity Purity says participants will complete a seven-day course to quit smoking. >>> | Monday, June 29, 2009