Singapore has been proactive in persuading smokers to quit smoking and, discourage non smokers and younger generation from starting smoking. I think it is a good thing. But having said that, I also understand that smokers will resist it.

I believe smokers know that smoking is bad for the health. But having the pleasure of taking a cigarette after a meal, and being stylish when smoking in front of peers, and giving them confident because the smoke will "cover them", and providing them stimulants during smoking, can way over ride the fear of smoking bring one bad health. It looks like it brings immediate gain and the bad health thing is too far to realise. After all, no one lives forever and all of us will die one day. And why live so long? Quantity vs Quality you must have thought.

As for smoking will also bring bad health to those around us, I think it is still not as bad as vehicles that have bad exhaust. This is because vehicle has a bigger pipe.

Anyway, some of the great leaders in history were chain smokers too. Some of them lived a long and meaningful life too. I remembered during my army basic training 20 years ago, my sergeant who was a chain smoker, had repeatedly claim gold award for his physical test. Then why against smoking?

Don't get me wrong. I am against smoking. I was a smoker for 15 years. I failed my first 3 attempts to quit smoking until the 4th time. I have stopped smoking for 6 years now. I am against smoking because only after I quit smoking that I realise fresh air is much better than the smoke from the cigarette. By the way, in chinese, a direct translation for cigarette is "Scented Smoke" - in short means nice smell. I was "duped" for 15 years. I believe many, if not all, of us are "duped" too, perhaps, unconsciously . But I can tell you this, Nothing beats the fresh air. Why? Because human, or animals, are born to benefit from fresh air. It is nature, so don't argue about it. If "scented smoke" is so nice, why don't you fill your house with "scented smoke" and feel shiok shiok? Cannot be right?

Before my first cigarette 15 years ago, I dislike the smell of cigarette because my dad was a smoker. I had friends who smoke. But I was not in for that. They did asked me to try but I resisted because I just dislike the smell. They soon respected me and would not "push" cigarette to me when we gather. I told them that I respected them for smoking and they should also respect me for not. But things changed when I was faced with boy-girl relationship trouble. Instead of they "pushing" cigarette to me, I asked them for one. It wasn't a good experience the first time, and I told myself that I wouldn't be addicted to it...... well, the rest is history.

During my time, a package of Salem soft pack (20 sticks) cost $2.20/-. I remembered I had a discussion with a friend, over 10 years ago. We were saying that one day, the government will push up the price of cigarette to $10 per package to discourage smoking. One of our friend didn't agree with us..... Now, I think it cost more than $10/- per package right?.... It is so costly now that the government is not increasing it this year (2006). Why? Because PM Lee Hsien Loong said that the reason not being the number of smokers have gone down but the number of cigarette smugglers have gone up. Ha ha ha.

Ok, why am I saying all these? Well, what I am trying to say here is that FRESH AIR is what we should value and keep. Although air pollution are not just from cigarette smoking but also from vehicles and factories, we are more directly involve in cigarette smoking. We can do something about it.
There are many reasons, situation and bad things for smoking. It is too wide to discuss them. But one thing for sure, smoking is addictive and it pollutes the FRESH AIR that we enjoy and need. There is no doubt about it.

These come to 2 compelling reasons for not smoking.
1. You will be controlled by cigarette. You will be slave to cigarette. Your freedom of not relying on cigarette is gone. Freedom, like fresh air, is very valuable. You can lie to yourself that you will not be addicted, I hope you are right, but the fact is not like that. You may think that you can control the cigarette, but in fact, it is the cigarette that controls you. Why be a slave when you can be a master of yourself? Quit smoking and be your own master.

2. Smoking pollutes the Fresh Air. It affects yourself and the people around. Put yourself in the shoe of a non smoker if you are a smoker. We have a choice NOT to smoke but we do not have a choice not to take in fresh air. Think about it.

If you are a smoker, and choose to quit smoking, maybe you can take my method with you. It works for me. But remember, whatever method to quit smoking, it is you who decide. "No one can force a cow to drink if the cow do not want to drink."

The Method
Can you imagine the faeces("sai" - in hokkien) you let out when you have a diarrhea? Stinky, smelly, yak…… then you look at the cigarette and imagine putting the faeces ("sai") into your month instead of the cigarette when you smoke…….... Yak yak yak. Whenever you have the urge of smoking, imagine that you have to put your stool into your month………….. Yak yak yak……. It makes you vomit……...
Practice and practice and practice.

Smokers, start to gain your freedom and enjoy fresh air. Hope you will benefit from this. Do take care.


Ever with the Best!