Being away for the holidays and being with a two and five year-old for the weekend have encouraged a cessation of smoking. The cigarettes were in the car, and at one point the excuse of walking the dog was made to go out and smoke. Arriving at the car though, the internally posed question was, "But, why?"
On one side:
- Smoking does me no good physically. My father died this year of a smoking-related cancer. Heart disease and cancer run rampant on both sides of my family. It's cutting into the cardio portion of my workout as well.
- A mouthy friend announced at 2 a.m. in the Offender household: "I love hanging out with you guys, but hate the fact that I smell like an ashtray when I leave."
- Cigarettes just feed corporate coffers. Most cigarette companies contribute to conservative candidates - not the acceptable "small government" conservatives, but the hideous religious-fanatic conservatives.
On the other:
- Almost everyone in my circle smokes. Which, now that it is written, isn't all that true. Very few actually do. Regardless, smoking is social. Offering someone a light is a communal thing. Similar to that nod that women with really good nose-jobs give one another.
- There is no easier way to bow out of a tedious conversation than to excuse oneself for a cigarette break. It's simply more acceptable than, "Standing here with you for any extended period of time will cause me to state what I really believe, which is that you are a dullard." Excusing oneself to the bathroom on such a frequency starts rumors of either bulimia or drug-abuse, not that they haven't been heard before.
- Gaining just one pound is unacceptable. Most often the reason for a cigarette is hunger.
Regardless of the decision, it is mine and mine alone. No support is expected from anyone and, rest assured, none will be given in my group of friends. Already, after just a few days, my sense of taste and smell have improved. (Smell unfortunately returned while at the Joyce Kilmer Service Center bathroom along the Jersey Turnpike.) Lung function and circulation are supposed to improve after two weeks, which will be just in time as the weight will start gaining and necessitate a return to the treadmill. The other improvements over time include sinus clearing, decrease of coronary heart disease (which killed my grandpa at 60) and decrease of cancer risk (which killed my dad at 62).
Although there will be no dramatic resolution to quit smoking or the ancillary "final puff" or similar bullshit, there will be two promises if the cessation of smoking is started:
- I resolve not to be one of those bitter ex-smokers that complains about the smoking of others. Unless of course you of course blow it right in my face, which gives me the right to pass gas in your presence.
- I resolve to carry a lighter around with me, as it is still incredibly sexy to light someone's cigarette.
