Cigs No More

Today, November 18, 2010, is the 35th annual Great American Smokeout! The American Cancer Society sponsors this event and asks smokers to commit to a smoke-free 24 hour day.

I was a smoker once.

I never participated in the Great American Smokeout Day.

But, I was always reamed with guilt on those days. Really. It stunk. Just like a stale cigarette. But, I just lit up and smoked away so I didn't have to think about it because smoking was my escape.



Man, smoking was fun. But golly, smoking made me feel like crap. I didn't even realize how bad I felt. At the peak of my smoking habit I was puffing away nearly two packs a day. NUTS! I can't even imagine how I had the time to do all that smoking.

Ironically time became my "excuse" to smoke. As if anyone needs an excuse. It was my 3 minute (and I could stretch it out to about 7 if I really tried) escape. You see, I could step outside of the office or the house and just look up at the sky or close my eyes and tune out all the noise around me and enjoy a few minutes of peace and quiet. And it mattered not a bit to me that those few minutes were years I could be taking off my life as I chose to prematurely decay my lungs. Hello, who does that?!

Once I realized the stronghold smoking had on my life and figured out there were other, healthier ways to escape (not to mention cheaper, like crazy cheaper, and I smell better too) I decided to say Sayonara. Au revoir. Cheerio. So long. Bu-bye.

On July 5, 2007 I ditched the habit. Well, I did it with some help. Thank you Lord. Thank you Griffin. Thank you family. Thank you Dr. Corovessis. Thank you makers of Chantix.

It wasn't easy. It's still not easy. But, the rewards are immeasurable. And I still have fun without being a smoker. Lots of fun. And since I have reversed the effects of smoking in my life, I will be able to have fun even longer.

So there Big Tobacco. Take that. One less supporter. Nah, nah, nuh-nah, nah.

Yours Sincerely,