Riley and Sarah

I’m allergic to tobacco, so I’ve never smoked. I never really felt the urge to anyway; I’ve seen what it can do to people.

My brother smokes and has tried many times to quit – to no avail. My aunt used to smoke and it took a lot for her to stop. Growing up I could see the immediate effects this habit had on both of them; the money spent, the yellow teeth, the stained fingers, and the smoky odour that seemed to attach itself to their clothes.

But what about the long-term effects? Well, I’ve seen some of that too.

As I said, my brother still smokes. He’s been smoking for about 15 to 20 years (he’s a lot older than me and I can’t remember when he didn’t smoke). The cigarette companies don’t advertize on their cartons that it’s highly addictive and will take up all your money. However, these days in Canada they do advertize the health concerns related to the use of cigarettes – they have to by law.

My grandpa, who started smoking at a young age and was successful at quitting later in life, was diagnosed with lung cancer when I was 12 years old. Thankfully he passed away a short time later due to natural causes before the cancer could really set in. But, another relative went through the agony of the horrible disease; my mom’s cousin died of lung cancer about 3 years ago.

We all know the long-term health concerns. People who smoke may say; “I know, I know. Don’t nag me about the health concerns. I know it is killing me. But I’m addicted.” Others may not really care and say something like; “It’s my life and my body. I’ll do what I want.”

If you smoke, I don’t want to nag you about your health – I’ve tried with my brother and it goes nowhere other than to make him annoyed. What I do want to nag about is the health concerns for others; family, friends, and even strangers.

Does anyone remember the commercial about emphysema from, I don’t know, probably about 10 years ago? It’s an older lady talking through ONE OF THOSE TUBE THINGS IN HER NECK telling her story about being a waitress in a restaurant before the bi-law about smoking in enclosed public spaces came into affect in Canada. She had never smoked a day in her life, but she was suffering with a smoking-related disease.   

Smoking seems much more common in Europe. We’ve noticed it especially in France and Italy. There are probably more people who smoke than people who don’t. I remember complaining about people having a cigarette break outside the buildings on Broadway in Winnipeg’s downtown. I’d have to walk right through their smoke on my way to and from work. I don’t know if I’ll complain anymore. I’m pretty sure I’ve inhaled more second-hand smoke while in Europe than during all my life previous!

If you want to sit on the terrace for lunch, be ready for smoke. If you take a walk down the street, there is bound to be at least one person walking directly in front of you waving their arm back and forth with a lit cigarette. Don’t be surprised to see an adult pushing a baby in a stroller with a cigarette near the child’s face. Waiting for the bus? Take a mask. Everyone else waiting has a cigarette.

There are many things going on in our world today that are having negative effects on people who never asked for it; people who didn’t want to be involved. The actions and choices of others are affecting their health, the environment around them, and their safety. Smoking doesn’t have to add to the list. The effects of smoking can be controlled – by those who choose to smoke.

So I say to those who smoke, go ahead. I don’t recommend it, but it’s your life and you can do whatever you want. I have nothing against people who smoke. What bothers me is that some people who have made that decision for themselves are also making it for others. I don’t want to die of lung cancer after never touching a cigarette in my life.

To my aunt, my mom’s cousin, my grandpa, and my brother, each of whom never lit up in my vicinity; thank you for not smoking around me.   

Sarah