I remember when I smoked (another lifetime ago). In California, it was generally tolerated by society up until 1995, then laws were passed to protect the public from other peoples choices (second-hand smoke). Such laws planted a seed in me for conscious consideration that it wasnt just about me and my choices but also how my choices might affect others. Over the next few years I started to become more conscious of my behavior. I didnt want children to see me smoking... I realized some of them would copy me so I started hiding my habit when I was anywhere near a kid...even if one would walk by... I would hide it behind my back. I realized it wasn’t just about my choice to my own body but that little eyes were watching... and I wanted to be a good role model in any way I could...at least not a bad one. That I would go to such lengths for others made me also wonder why I was not doing it for myself. Bit by bit, I started to see my own foolishness and I gradually reduced my smoking over the years... I used lower concentration cigarettes, then I tried nicotine gum...then finally, the patch in 2001. Never smoked since and never wanted to. By that time I was fully ready, I wish it took less time. I was then living in Texas and there was more social permissiveness there. I wish I could say that I was less influenced by others but that simply wasnt the case (although, now, having worked thought this, I have strengthened my resolve to not succumb to negative social pressure). My behavior was influenced by what others around me were doing. Not just with smoking but with drinking, too. I finally reached my threshold for tolerance of that lifestyle and moved away... starting over, leaving the party crowd and getting in touch with what I truly wanted for myself...a healthier life. One of the main things that really gave the push was that I didnt want to be an addict... controlled by something else against my own will. I wanted to be in control of myself. In the interest of social justice and health, Id like a similar legal approach be used for the anti-social behavior exhibited by people that are uncaring and/or ignorant of the affects they cause to others in their communities. It can help move progress along for some people, with smoking, it did for me. They (Producers and Consumers) should not have the right to spread diseases in communities in this way.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 18:51:19 +0000
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