Whilst reading Ms. Jones’ blog today I had an introspective moment. I wondered what happened that prevented me from taking up the ‘orrible ‘abit.
When I think about it all of my friends are either smokers or ex-smokers and their habits all stem from when we were around 14 to 16. So how did it skip me? I don’t remember my peers saying, “C’mon mate, it’s really cool.” In fact I don’t recall any kind of pressure to smoke from anyone; directly, indirectly or otherwise.
Maybe it’s because I was such an avid sportsman and I didn’t want to ruin my ‘temple’. (/sarcasm)
The only thing I’m missing out on nowadays is a pointless activity to:
- Literally burn my money
- Increase the chances of contracting lung cancer1
- Bunk off work for 5 minutes to chat to the office hottie2
1. Lets be honest here. According to most research today breathing, living, walking, not walking, beef and crisps can all be attributed to the rise in cancer cases. Give a scientist a theory and, with enough money poured into the research, they can prove anything. It’s just a case of interpreting the numbers how you want to see them.
2. Sometimes I almost think it would be worth it.
NiC | 01-Mar-05 at 10:03 am | Permalink
“Give a scientist a theory and, with enough money poured into the research, they can prove anything.”…..Indeed.. the key thing is often to look at just who gave them the money.
Greavsie | 01-Mar-05 at 1:06 pm | Permalink
There is a ‘Stop Smoking’ campaign at work where all the participants are keeping a spreadsheet of how much money they aren’t spending on fags. The results are surprising.
That said I’ve never smoked either.
Splee | 01-Mar-05 at 1:28 pm | Permalink
NiC: Good point, well put.
Greavsie: At nearly a fiver a pack the savings will be huge. I just pour all the money I would have spent, had I ever smoked, into frivolous and pointless crap (DVD’s, junk food, gadgets, games, etc). Therefore I’m just as broke as a smoker, if not more. :)
wedge | 01-Mar-05 at 6:43 pm | Permalink
Greavsie, I will do my best not to make light of your FAGS reference, as i find it to be the funniest differece between UK english and USA english…. but thats because im a pig with a nasty sense of humor…
But I digress… Yes splee, i think ther eis an age that once you pass, you don;t get the urge anymore. I also have never been pushed to smoke. And once you pass 16 or 17, everyone starts bitching about it anyway, so its less reason to do it.
I had a freinds who started when he was 21. I wanted to slap him.
witho | 02-Mar-05 at 9:41 am | Permalink
I started at 19 because my boyfriend smoked. Good reason (NOT!) There was no pressure from him, I just did it. Over 10 years later, I finally gave up…
Cigarette breaks at work were often a good way to clarify one’s thoughts. I miss that.
I don’t miss standing in a freezing car park though…