Editor’s note: Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed every year from Oct. 23 to 31. The following is a commentary to show young smokers what the future may hold for them. The author is describing a typical day in her life as a smoker.
My alarms are blasting. I stumble out of bed, turn off the noisy alarms and, with half-shut eyes, I go onto my balcony for the first cigarette of the day. Actually, it’s just a couple of puffs – I haven’t gone to the bathroom yet.
Bathroom duties done – I go back on the balcony for a full shot of nicotine. Coughing, coughing, coughing … This could be anywhere from one to three cigarettes depending on how tired I am or what mood I’m in.
Then, I’m awake enough to start making coffee.
While it’s brewing, I usually get ready for work, but more often than not, I go back to the balcony.
The coffee is done. Now, it’s time for me to really smoke. Coughing, coughing, coughing … It’s a good thing I get up early for work. One last smoke or two before I head to work. I have been smoking for more than 30 years. I started when I was 15 years old. I actually remember the first time.
My friends and I were in the woods with cigarettes we stole from our parents. (For some reason, this seems to be a common scenario for smokers, especially those my age.)
I distinctly remember inhaling that awful stuff and coughing, coughing, coughing … For the life of me, I can’t remember why I continued smoking – It was truly awful – or when it became the ball-and-chain that it is now. Of course, it never occurred to me that I would be my parents.
Arrive at work. Smoke another cigarette before going into the office. I’m not going to list every cigarette I have during a normal day. I smoke three packs a day.
Coughing, coughing, coughing … Suffice it to say that I have not been to a movie theater in more than 10 years – two hours without a cigarette; not if I can help it.
I can rent or buy and still do balcony trips. And, flying to the states – at least 12 hours without one – It’s been close to 10 years since I have been home. Coughing, coughing, coughing …
I feel trapped if I can’t go outside to have a cigarette when the need hits. Another big fear for me is to be without cigarettes or lighters. The thing is that I don’t want to have to resort to looking for the biggest butt left in the ashtray.
I have done it in the past – another proud moment – so I make sure I’m prepared. I have cigarettes and lighters stashed at home, in the car and at work.
I’m still at work. Oh, I don’t know how many cigarettes I’ve had. It’s hard to keep track.
I usually smoke them pretty fast. My co-workers have often commented on how fast I smoke. Yeah, it’s impressive alright.
Coughing, coughing, coughing … These quickly-smoked cigarettes are really not that enjoyable, but necessary.
In fact, none of the cigarettes I smoke are really enjoyable anymore (if they ever really were) – not even the ones with my morning coffee.
Home from work – it’s pretty much the same thing. There are lots of balcony trips in between doing housework or whatever and always one before bed.
Then, I get to listen to the sounds of my lungs – wheezing, wheezing and wheezing – before I eventually fall asleep.
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Editor’s note: Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed every year from Oct. 23 to 31. The following is a commentary to show young smokers what the future may hold for them. The author is describing a typical day in her life as a smoker.
My alarms are blasting. I stumble out of bed, turn off the noisy alarms and, with half-shut eyes, I go onto my balcony for the first cigarette of the day. Actually, it’s just a couple of puffs – I haven’t gone to the bathroom yet.
Bathroom duties done – I go back on the balcony for a full shot of nicotine. Coughing, coughing, coughing … This could be anywhere from one to three cigarettes depending on how tired I am or what mood I’m in.
Then, I’m awake enough to start making coffee.
While it’s brewing, I usually get ready for work, but more often than not, I go back to the balcony.
The coffee is done. Now, it’s time for me to really smoke. Coughing, coughing, coughing … It’s a good thing I get up early for work. One last smoke or two before I head to work. I have been smoking for more than 30 years. I started when I was 15 years old. I actually remember the first time.
My friends and I were in the woods with cigarettes we stole from our parents. (For some reason, this seems to be a common scenario for smokers, especially those my age.)
I distinctly remember inhaling that awful stuff and coughing, coughing, coughing … For the life of me, I can’t remember why I continued smoking – It was truly awful – or when it became the ball-and-chain that it is now. Of course, it never occurred to me that I would be my parents.
Arrive at work. Smoke another cigarette before going into the office. I’m not going to list every cigarette I have during a normal day. I smoke three packs a day.
Coughing, coughing, coughing … Suffice it to say that I have not been to a movie theater in more than 10 years – two hours without a cigarette; not if I can help it.
I can rent or buy and still do balcony trips. And, flying to the states – at least 12 hours without one – It’s been close to 10 years since I have been home. Coughing, coughing, coughing …
I feel trapped if I can’t go outside to have a cigarette when the need hits. Another big fear for me is to be without cigarettes or lighters. The thing is that I don’t want to have to resort to looking for the biggest butt left in the ashtray.
I have done it in the past – another proud moment – so I make sure I’m prepared. I have cigarettes and lighters stashed at home, in the car and at work.
I’m still at work. Oh, I don’t know how many cigarettes I’ve had. It’s hard to keep track.
I usually smoke them pretty fast. My co-workers have often commented on how fast I smoke. Yeah, it’s impressive alright.
Coughing, coughing, coughing … These quickly-smoked cigarettes are really not that enjoyable, but necessary.
In fact, none of the cigarettes I smoke are really enjoyable anymore (if they ever really were) – not even the ones with my morning coffee.
Home from work – it’s pretty much the same thing. There are lots of balcony trips in between doing housework or whatever and always one before bed.
Then, I get to listen to the sounds of my lungs – wheezing, wheezing and wheezing – before I eventually fall asleep.