I've been a smoker for many years now. *gasp* Yes, yes, I'm an awful person that pollutes the air that other non-smokers have to breathe. Yup, I'm the guy gumming up his lungs with tar and poison and... chemicals... and ... ummm... nicotastic heaven...

Hmmmm yeah - smoking. I like it. Despite all the bad - its so darn good.

"boooooo," *hisssss* erupts the crowd of anti smoking activists and health officials.

Hey look. I don't advocate smoking - nor do I even think its such a great idea to smoke. I'm just saying that I've enjoyed my years of smoking. Yeah, it may just be the nicotine talking, but there are quite a few happy memories of fun smoke filled bars, cafes, parties and events.

But, lets face the facts. It IS bad for you. And it really is a stinky habit - especially if you smoke at home. So, I've once again banned smoking in my house.

"But you like smoking." Fuck yeah - especially when I work at my computer - but this is for the greater good. By not smoking in the house I have already cut back by half - leaving me more cash to stimulate the economy.

Having to haul my ass outside really makes me consider whether I want to smoke out of habit - or I genuinely desire a cigarette and a break. And - actually getting up and going outside is a great way to really pause and think about whatever it is I am working on - or to really pause and take a break from my life - and just chill out for a minute.

At any rate, this is just the first step in the long term goal of giving up smoking altogether.

"But you like smoking." Fuck yeah - especially with my morning coffee or an evening beer - but this is for the greater good. For all the pleasure it may bring, it does indeed have awful long term health consequences. I don't think I would want to deprive the world of me by dropping dead from something that could have been prevented.

andyway - I don't know how well I will do quitting - but I'm slowing moving towards that goal. Its no coincidence that I chose the summer to implement the in house smoking ban. I'll just see how eager I'll be to go outside when its minus 20 to huff on a fag. Here's to hoping I'll have given it up before then - but if I haven't it'll be one more incentive to stop.

andre