Smoking – It’s one subject that conjurs up very strong feelings. Smokers believe they have a right to smoke. And non-smokers believe they have a right to smoke-free air. The non-smokers are winning, but it hasn’t been easy. Today, not only are public buildings smoke-free, there’s a no smoking ban around the perimeter of those buildings.

I can finally enjoy a meal at a smoke-free restaurant. When the hostess used to ask “smoking or non?” I would always answer “A non-smoking section in a restaurant is like a no-pee zone in a pool.” If I walked into a restaurant and smelled cigarette smoke, I would leave – But not before telling the hostess or manager why.

And now, I’m seeing signs outside public buildings warning that there’s no smoking around the building. I no longer have to walk thru a cloud of smoke to enter a medical building. And who was outside smoking? All the employees, of course!

So, what’s a non-smoking advocate to do? Speak up! Ban together and educate everyone I can about the dangers of smoking. I found another non-smoking advocate.

Joseph P. Weaver is the winner of the 2002 American Cancer Society’s Great American Smoke-out Award, for leadership in building a smoke-free environment in New York City. A former neuroscience researcher, Joe has studied yoga, reflexology, herbology, and meditation in Nepal and around the world, and has helped thousands of people quit smoking.

In his book, The Tao of Quitting Smoking, Mr. Weaver lists 100 Reasons to Quit Smoking. Here are my favorite Top 10, taken from his list:

1. Because you can! (#1)
2. Quitting decreases the overall risk of death (all causes combined) by 50 percent in fifteen years as compared to continuing smokers. (#2)
3. Toxic tobacco smoke, a.k.a. secondhand smoke, harms others. (#26)
4. Nicotine—a poisonous, addictive, drug, has been linked to cancer. (#34)
5. You won’t feel like a leper in public. More than 70 percent of people don’t smoke. (#49)
6. You will be a winner because you finally took control of your addiction. (#58)
7. Because you know that you want to quit. (#69)
8. Children tend to imitate their parents. (#84)
9. Not socially acceptable anymore. (#87)
10. Quit for yourself. (#100)

So, is there life after cigarettes? You bet! You’ll feel better, breathe better, look better, smell better and enjoy what you eat. And everyone around you will love you for taking control of your life.

Links:
Are You Still Smoking?
The Long Term Health Effects of Smoking Tobacco
The Smoker’s Body (Warning: It’s gross)
Quit Smoking Resources
Where There’s Smoke . . .