There were two reasons I was thinking about this over the weekend. I just found out (apparently I live under a rock) that our President Obama smokes like a chimney. I was also looking at pictures of the new film New Moon and just about every actor was smoking. It's amazing how un-cute Robert Pattison can look while smoking. I know that it's an addiction and that it is the hardest thing to stop doing. But are they trying? Why did they start? I know you're probably asking why I care and why I'm being so judgemental. It's because our children look up to these people. They tell themselves, "they smoke and are doing just fine." I've seen kids take straws and pencils and pretend to smoke like it's cool. Worldwide, between 80,000 and 100,000 kids start smoking every day. EVERY DAY!! Approximately one quarter of children alive in the Western Pacific Region will die from smoking. Among young teens (ages 13-15) about one in five smokes worldwide. These statistics are from 2002. That's 7 years ago. The numbers are probably higher now.
Please please please help others to understand the health issues and risks that are involved in smoking. If you smoke, please please please quit. There are many places and websites you can go to that will help you every step of the way.
I'll get down from my soap box now.
5 comments:
I had no idea of those statistics!! Holy crap! This was a good soap box to be on - really! I had no idea our president was a smoker, either - and that's a shocker! He seems so 'fit'... hum. It's really sad when I have my 12 year old students telling me that they smoke all the time. They're 12!! Sick, and I feel so bad for them ALL.
Thanks for this post, Candice. I think a lot of people feel this way, but just assume everyone else already knows about the dangers and hideousness about the addiction. I fully agree, and I hope many people read your words.
I am totally with you on this one! Talk about living under a rock. I found out that my little innocent brother has been smoking for the past 3 or 4 years! I guess he's not as innocent as I thought! It was devastating for me to find that out, so don't feel bad. I kinda thought kids these days were too smart to start smoking. They know it causes cancer. They know it's addicting as heck. And most of the non-smoking World thinks it's disgusting and a nuissance. Why would anyone want to be a part of that? Got me. Smoking is so not cool and I am totally with ya on that one!
I say as long as this president can keep his pants on and pronounce 'nuclear' we're ahead of the last four terms.
Smoking is disgusting. I think all people who smoke should be put on an island. Smokers and those who don't want to immunize their children.
I must live further under the rock than you, because I didn't find out Obama smoked until I heard it from you... just now. Another reason I don't like him.
Just be glad you live in Utah.
The smoking can be nasty nasty here.
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