Reply #150: original message [View All]

I do addictions all day long and smoking is the one least amenable to counseling. There is the addiction, the psychological aspect which is the most important, and the emotional problems of those who are extended conduct disorder cases.

In fairness, it is very hard to stop smoking. It is a personal issue as well as a public health issue. What this writer is saying is that he wishes his personal issues to trump public health issues. It is not necessary to watch cancer rates or scrutinize the Constitution to come out of this looking good.

With most addictions ( alcohol, illegal drugs, sexual, etc. ) the addicted do not come out fighting, they just do their thing with their trail of destruction ignored. I think in time tobacco use will reduce to a few angry people and become an underground practice. Presently there is forming a cultural problem with smoking so to counter the problem and remain OK in society, the writer's arguments surface.

NBSH, you are an angry person and that probably affects other areas of your life which make the smoking cessation particularly difficult. With the cigarette thing, remember that each time you attempt to stop is a practice for the real thing. It is not a failure to attempt and not succeed. Anyone who states his contrary case in such length and with so many weak points, really so many, needs to rethink his position.

Living in a peaceful society involves some acquiescence of cultural mores. And, you become easier to live and work with.