Smoking.

One thing I feel very, very strongly about. I hate everything about it, everything. The smell, the danger, the look, the damage it can do.

Did you know that there are over 4000 other chemicals in cigarettes? 4000 chemicals going into your body that shouldn't be there, getting you more and mroe addicted to them even though you know that it's doing critical damage.
Statistically, each cigarette smoked shortens the users lifespan by 11 minutes.

I have reasons for hating it.

When I was very young, just a baby, my Dad had a heart attack. He used to smoke a lot and I hate that he did. He stopped for my Mom because she hated it too. He had a heart attack and I blame is solely on the fact that he smoked. Apparently, I wasn't allowed to see him for ages, until he came out of hospital because he was too ill. I can't imagine being prevented from seeing my Dad now, so I know that it would have broken my heart back then too.

All our lives, my Mom, brothers and I have lived hating smoke, cigarettes and tried to prevent people from smoking. I must have broken quite a few cigarettes in my time.

My brother smokes now. He's an idiot. I couldn't believe it when I found out. Peer pressure, that's what it is. It's pathetic. It gets my blood boiling just thinking about it. I hate smoking! I don't understand why anyone would! It's not like it gives you a sense of release that you couldn't find somewhere else.

I think my brother has told my parents that he has quit. Well, he hasn't. I've seen him smoking. He smokes at night and when he's been drinking. I don't know about in the day because I don't see him.

On Saturday night, we went out into Birmingham to celebrate birthdays and such things and when we came home, me and my eldest brother went straight to bed and my brother who smokes stayed downstairs. The next day, I went downstairs and my Dad had cooked some sausages for breakfast and he did his sandwich and then left my brothers and mine so they stayed warm. I'd noticed all of the windows and doors were open. He was leaning on the door frame that led from the kitchen into the living room and I was in the kitchen making coffee and things, and he said "have you started smoking?"
I couldn't believe it. I've never been so offended in my life. And it was my father that said it! I was lost for words. After a few seconds I managed to get out "Dad... no... no way! I'd never... No!" And he turned on his heel and walked out. I shouted after him, "why would you even ask me that?" and he replied "I found a cigarette butt and the house smells of smoke so one of the three of you have been."

Well, duh, you know that one of your sons smoke! I actually couldn't - and still can't - believe he asked me that. I'm still offended. I want to say, "you don't really think I'd smoke, do you?" The only thing is, if I asked that and he hesitated and didn't say that he didn't think I would but it was just for his own peace of mind straight away, I don't know what I'd do. I'd probably burst into tears and run away from him.

I love my Dad so much, my parents mean the world to me and I don't know what I'd do without them. But the only downfall to this is they are the ones that can hurt me the most. And they don't even realise that a comment like that has stayed in my mind, annoying and upsetting me for 3 days, in the back of my mind making me think "does my Dad really think that little of me?" I guess I'll just have to ask him. That's the only way I will ever be able to let it go. I just hope I get the answer I'm looking for.


QUIT if you smoke, and don' start if you don't.
Think of your family and friends, those who care for you.
Don't be pressured into smoking. Be strong. Because you're a much better person if you don't smoke. You can deal with your stress and worries without having to turn to a disgusting stick that smells really, really bad that can kill you.

Please. That's all I ask.
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