I have never smoked and given that my Dad died aged 60 from cancer, I’m not particularly tolerant to arguments in favour of the habit.
Yesterday, while picking up my blood test results from the hospital I was struck by the disproportionate number of smokers entering and leaving. To my mind this communicates a collective ‘fuck you’ to the idea of preventive health care.
One cause of escalating medical costs and extended waiting lists for treatment is the high percentage of people who ignore common sense advice on ways of maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
Some say smoking is sexy, which is true if you’re turned on by stained teeth, yellow fingers and smelly clothes.
Others argue that it keeps you thin, which is definitely the case when combined with a vigorous programme of chemotherapy.
Some also argue that it fuels creativity.
In the movie The Future Is Unwritten, Joe Strummer is quoted as saying that non smokers should be denied access to books and music which nicotine has helped to create. It’s not clear whether he applied the same logic to harder drugs.
Heroine has probably inspired much of my favourite music but I don’t feel obliged to shoot up to enjoy it.
I know full well that the grim reaper will come a calling whatever, but personally I don’t see any advantage on bringing forward the appointment.