Breakfast With Addicts

FTLComm - Tisdale - Thursday, November 29, 2001

Breaking my usual habit of going to Hannigan's for breakfast Thursday morning, I went into one of Tisdale's downtown restaurants. In Hannigan's there is always the chance of someone sitting down near you and smoking but in general with experience one learns where to sit and it works. This morning I am in unfamiliar territory and though one of the downtown restaurants (Wolfes) has a nonsmoking area this one does not. There were three tables in use when I came in and I noted that one was smoking so I went to an area I thought would be safe. I was delivered a fine cup of coffee and then discovered the neighbouring table was being used by the waitress and there sat a smoldering cigarette. I scooped up my coffee and headed across the room. Now you may think this as fanatical behaviour, what harm will a little smoke do me. Actually probably not much harm but in the last few years I have discovered my sense of smell is tuned up a little and a smell that seems oblivious to others reeks to me and I just did not want to spend the rest of the day with the odour of cigarette smoke on my clothes and hair. This large table was right beside me and two women entered. One of them needs describing because it sort of identifies a puzzling problem. The woman was wearing high heels, dressed in just outstanding clothing, great coat, a fine business suit and her hair and make-up picture perfect. I wonder just how long she must take each morning to put that kind of great care into her appearance. Folks she looked just great. Now having spent considerable amount of time and money to present this outstanding appearance it was a shock to see this woman and the lady across from her immediately whip out their lighters and cigarettes to have with their coffee. Having worked as a counsellor I have learned that tobacco use is not a matter of choice. Once a person starts smoking the substance is extraordinarily addictive. Easier by far to deal with alcoholism or drug addiction than stop smoking. This issue has been well documented, just as well documented as the horrifying reduction in quality and quantity of life for every person who smokes. You don't need me to go on about the nasty and totally fatal list of health hazards from smoking, but with this known, how tremendously saddening to see people caught and addicted for their life, or much of it, unable to not purchase and consume a deadly poison. Soon these two were joined by their fellow workers and of the eight of them, three were smoking. 37% is a substantial number of people, even though only a few decades ago as few as 37% might have been non smokers We have seen this addictive substance gradually decline as it is rare now to see any man smoke, certainly no man who is middle class or educated. The few men who still smoke are mostly lower class who for one reason or another have low expectations in life and consider death from smoking remote, as they are unlikely to live so long. But among women the addiction to tobacco remains almost the same as it was three decades ago. Scientific research into this problem has been unable to explain it as women in surveys report full knowledge of the dangers and most make an effort (most unsuccessfully) to not smoke during pregnancy, but continue to remain addicted while still knowing the dangers. The only hope I can offer is that if you have friends or relatives who smoke, provide them with support and encouragement should they make an effort to end their addiction. Keep in mind that few addicts make a conscious choice to smoke, they are instead compelled to get their fix every so many hours throughout the day. They will not feel well or normal without the chemical and during attempts to quit they will experience remarkable discomfort. Be supportive, do things for them help them out in their time of need, and above, all love them and show them how much you appreciate their efforts to beat their deadly addiction. Timothy W. Shire