I’ve never been a smoker – well, okay, I tried it a few times when I was 13 because it was an act of rebellion against my parents with my friends who were also going through the same stage with parents. In total, I’ve probably smoked two cigarettes in my whole life, spread across many months during that infamous year.
I don’t understand the habit and the subculture that goes with it. To begin with, let’s look at the habit itself: right on each pack is a strong warning about the damage you will do to yourself if you smoke. Not damage that may happen, damage that will happen as you continue with the habit. Yet, approximately 18 percent of the population continues this disgusting habit with most decrying the day they started.
Both my parents were heavy smokers, which ultimately led to their demise, and it contributed to the death of my oldest brother at age 56. My sister also smokes – heavily. It’s interesting that the three youngest kids – except for the occasional “Have to look cool” puff, never got the habit and, to this day, find it repulsive to be within shouting distance of a smoker. The smell lingers – even outdoors – as the stench from several smokers over a period of time accumulates and is absorbed by every solid object around it.
The culture? Smokers tend to stick together and think nothing of giving each other cigarettes, yet they won’t lend each other money. When handing out cigarettes, aren’t you handing out money in a different form? I also don’t understand when a smoker will approach strangers on the street and ask to borrow a cigarette. Borrowing something means you will pay it back – but how will a smoker pay back someone he may never see again? And will the one who lends the cigarette somehow track the person down and demand payment? A similar request is, “Got an extra cigarette?” Hmm, do the tobacco companies issue packs of cigarettes with an extra section for those you will give out (and never get back). Of course they don’t. In short, buy your own pack of cigarettes, as some have told the freeloaders directly. Which brings me to my final question and a topic for another day: What, exactly, is spare change? as in “Got any spare change?”
John Berkovich Talks 