images…

what does images really do for you? for example, images on the box of a cigarette. or maybe those images on advertisement boards. it serves to be a reminder of sort. especially when it comes to those images on the cigarette boxes. those pictures of hideous consequences of smoking plastered right on the box of the cigarette certainly do somewhat make newbies to cigarette smoking think twice about smoking. but, what about those that have been smoking since young? what about those who have been smoking for twenty, thirty or maybe more years?

i personally do not encourage smoking. i don’t believe in making others suffer just because you want to taste a few minutes of heaven, so to speak. but, i would not prevent anyone from smoking, much less people i don’t know. my dad smokes. but, he has never smoked in the house. he doesn’t smoke when we are around. nevertheless, it’s a bad habit of his to smoke. every few hours after not smoking, no matter whether we’re visiting some relatives or out shopping in the shopping complex, he would disappear of somewhere to smoke. it’s not that we don’t know it’s bad for his health. it’s not that he himself doesn’t know that it’s bad for his health. it’s just that he lost to the cravings that’s already deep rooted into his brain. the power of nicotine.

so, to these people, like my dad who has been smoking for years, does a few pictures of rotting mouth and teeth, black lungs and all affect them? the most they would do is just to turn a blind eye on them. i believe that if families can’t do much to persuade them to stop smoking, there’s nothing much left in this world that would persuade them to do it. it takes time and patience to quit smoking. a lot of courage would be needed. strong will would be pretty useful. and, most would not have it in them to quit smoking.

the support from families count, no matter whether you choose to believe it or not. it rests on the conscience when family member complains, persuades, and requests them to quit smoking. it’s not easy to stop but over time, there are some that are able to do it.

the purpose of this entry was not to talk about the participation of family members in the process of quitting smoking. it was inspired by my sister who asked me would a helpline help in the process of making smokers quit smoking. and my answer is no. what would the helpline do for those whom are smoking? call them and ask about the consequences of smoking? you can ask anyone on the street and most of them would be able to tell you most if not all of the consequences of smoking. call them just to have someone listen to you when you have the urge to smoke? well, if that is the case, then wouldn’t these people call those who they trust? why would you call some stranger and take in their advice? undeniably, there would be a small amount of people that would call and ask or maybe take in advice from these helpine. but, if it can only help a small amount, it would be a waste of resources to set up a helpline, hiring those that are professionals in helping people to quit smoking. besides, there is already an infoline number printed on the cigarette box.

smokers do know what they are playing with. even if they do not want to admit it. even if they can’t fight the urge to smoke. at the end of the day, it depends on the smoker itself, whether they really want to be smoke-free or spend their lifetime smoking, what is left of their lifetime, anyway.

i do not want my dad to leave us that early. nobody would want that to ever happen. people would hope that their parents live forever with them although all of us knew that this is impossible. impossible feat yet, deep down, all of us hope this could come true. because the pain of your family leaving you is unbearable and no matter how long time has passed, there would still be a scar left in your heart.

love,
natalie
13072009/2.58pm