I’m a smoker. Who grew up in an era when everybody smoked and cigs were cool. I started when I was just a teen and I thought being able to chain-smoke was a sign of maturity. Mind you, it already came with its own set of consequences. Bad breath, stained teeth and fingernails, not to mention the hard cough from time to time.
But I persevered and was a proud smoker, even though I was aware of the health risks already. Eventually, I’d cube bored of my habit, made less sense when it became increasingly more expensive. Actually, today the average cost of a pack of cigarettes in the UK is £10.69. Yeah, think about that for a moment. You can’t buy a decent meal for ten pounds over here.
What has changed my current smoking behavior is the new smoking legislation here in the UK. It seems that every day more and more places become smoke-free. There are public places, such as streets, restaurants, pubs, and even parks where smoking is no longer allowed. And of course, the smoking age to purchase a 20 pack of cigarettes is now 18.
The UK also has the “Smokefree England” program, which helps people quit their smoking addiction. This program provides free resources, such as educational materials, counseling, and even nicotine patches. The government also started a public awareness campaign to educate people about the dangers of smoking and to discourage young people from taking up the habit.
But, as I said, I’m a smoker and I’m not going to give up easily. I’m aware that the risks are there and that smoking has become expensive and inconvenient. But I still want my taste of liberty, my cigarette. I have my circle of smoker friends who understand my plight and we share our stories and strategies.
No, it’s not a habit that I’m proud of, but I’m not ashamed of it either. I take every opportunity to defend and make the case for smoking, even in this day and age. I know my habits have consequences but I’m willing to make the sacrifice. That’s why I’m still here, still sucking on my cig.