Young people seem to be getting the message that smoking is a zero-sum game for people who try it: you lose money, lose time, lose your health, your looks, and increasingly jobs and insurance. The percentage of American teens who smoke is far fewer than their European counterparts, who just don't get it. Still, many young people are nonetheless becoming victims of the tobacco industry, which works so very hard at getting people addicted -- it's money in the bank for them.
On The Bee's Valley Voices page Saturday, there was a powerful essay that carried the byline of former Reedley Exponent newspaper editor, Budd Brockett. The column actually had to be written by Budd's son, Scott, because Budd is so ill with complications from emphysema, a consequence of his lifelong smoking habit. Here is an excerpt:
I do not want sympathy or people to feel the need to say they're sorry. I made these decisions on my own, and the consequences were told to me in the beginning. What I desire is for just one young person to hear me and believe what I say.The purpose of this column is very simple, and yet it will be so difficult for those who really need to hear it from an "old man." If you smoke, you will live to regret it.
Read the entire column by clicking here.
What a wonderful article. Unfortunately young and old alike seriously think they are invincable. It is a horrible way to die whether by cancer or emphysema. Not being able to get a breath is just plain scary. I hope his message will touch at least one person.