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I bet you read the title thinking I was a remorseful pothead. But after over 20 years on tobacco I've discovered it makes you every bit as wacky as smoking marijuana. It's just not as obvious to the rest of the world.

Who else besides a pregnant woman would think it's perfectly natural to drive across town in a blizzard to buy something that satisfies a craving? Even someone high on drugs has enough sense to come in out of the rain. Yet I can't count the times I've stood facing a door with my tush in the rain so my cigarette wouldn't get wet.

The first cigarette I ever smoked my green complexion perfectly complimented my red hair. That choking cough brought up all kinds of things out of my lungs, put tears in my eyes and turned the white of my eyes red. I was so cool looking.

I claim to not understand those who take risks with their lives. Yet the day after a major surgery, in my hospital gown, I dragged my IV pole outside to the smoking area. Since my roommate followed me for the same reason I complained how unfair hospital policy was.

There were even times, desperate for a smoke I'd pick up a butt from a public ashtray and light it, having no idea of the health of the one who left it. To be honest I didn't care. i needed to relax.

When I first heard of the lawsuit by smokers claiming they were unaware of the dangers I had to laugh. My dad started smoking in the 1920s and said even then they were called Coffin Nails.So either these smokers were looking for easy money or lying. It never dawned on me that the only way I was better was I wasn't actively seeking compensation for my stupidity.

After all these years I've finally learned being a rebel doesn't mean you have to cut off your nose to spite your face. Nor is it cool to cough, hack and get winded with the simplest exertions. So I joined a smoking cessation class. Out of the 15 that started I'm the only one that's showed up for 2 weeks. One was practically at death's door and couldn't stop. You could say I'm beginning to agree with the militant non-smokers. Unlike other legal substances it's not something you can do every once in awhile. It really is an addiction.

I still haven't completely quit. But around a pack a day, compared to 4 is a major achievement. To look at it any other way is to admit defeat and quit trying.

So if you have a friend or a loved one trying to quit, don't nag. It either discourages them from trying or causes the rebel in them to want to smoke to spite you. Focus on how much they've accomplished so far. Stress the good changes that have happened and that you believe they can do it. Sometimes even more than prayer we need to know someone has faith in us.

Learn more about this author, Sylvia Morrison.
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