Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 9/27/83; site hplabsc.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!unc!mcnc!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!hplabs!hplabsc!labelle From: labelle@hplabsc.UUCP Newsgroups: net.followup,net.misc,net.religion,net.med Subject: Re: Why Smoke? Message-ID: <1940@hplabsc.UUCP> Date: Tue, 12-Jun-84 10:27:38 EDT Article-I.D.: hplabsc.1940 Posted: Tue Jun 12 10:27:38 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 14-Jun-84 00:17:40 EDT References: <269@ihu1e.UUCP> Organization: Hewlett Packard Labs, Palo Alto CA Lines: 35 Xref: 749 991 1063 238 I used to smoke 2 packs a day, I have quit for 3yrs now. I originally started because "everyone else did". Later I continued (until about 31 yrs old) because 1) I was hooked and 2) I enjoyed it (probably due to 1)!! Honestly, if you're a smoker, there's nothing like sitting back after doing something and having a smoke. If it didn't bother others so much and didn't carry such a health risk, I WOULD STILL SMOKE! I respect the rights of others to smoke (or anything else they may wish to do for that matter) so long as it dosen't infringe on someone elses right. I have two teenage kids. One smoke lightly probably for the same reason I started. She is 17 and old enough to know what she is doing to her own body. There is a point beyond which you no longer have control over your children and they reach that individual status. All you can do is advise! She is not allowed to smoke in or around the house because we as her parents feel an obligation to her as a child (until 18 or moved out of the house) to protect her health. At this point example and education are the only tools we have to work with!! My advise to you is 1) If at all possible, educate your children as to the health risks, bother to others, and expense of smoking such that THEY DON'T START IN THE FIRST PLACE!! 2) Do not condone smoking even if you know that they are smoking anyway. I started smoking at about 14 and heavily smoking at 16 WHEN MY MOTHER DISCOVERED I WAS SMOKING AND GAVE UP TRYING TO DISCOURAGE ME!! I must reiterate however smoking was pleasurable and I respect other adults right to indulge. P.S. I like cheap wine GEORGE