Indifference: Smoked

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Was talking to a bunch of International students...A Thai guy and a korean girl. To my disgust, halfway through the conversation, they started puffing on cigarettes. The wisps of cigarette smoke spreading out like a fog...silently...

I declined an offer, and tried to end the conversation "tactfully". A teacher came forward, not mine...luckily...At first, I thought she was about to give those 2 a lecture. To my horror, out came a cigarette and a lighter...Soon, all three were puffing their lives away.

I did not pick up that cigarette offered to me. Yet, I knew I had already laid victim to passive smoking. The stench remained on my clothings...At first, it was a stench...After some time, it actually smelled "good"...My gosh...was this the great potency of nicotine? Addictive...

I forgot about it and yes, I am not addicted, thankfully. However, a thought lingered in my mind. Why does one actually smoke? Apparently, it is widespread here in New Zealand. Half of the people I know now smoke...that is the people in Foundation studies. I have seen them smoking in groups...Imagine the pollution!

Why? Does it look cool? I think all it took was a first puff...and they were hooked. Perhaps, addiction to cigarettes differ amongst people. Some get hooked faster, some don't at all. Well, but the fact is, those who are addicted started off as casual smokers. And the casual smokers started off with a first puff...

Don't they know they are smoking their life away? I bet they do. They just cannot help it. And human beings are short-sighted in some ways...Only knowing how to experience the temporary high in the present, and never thinking about the consequences in the future.

I see a smoker approaching...gotta sign off...Pray for myself to be smoke-free...