Good sign of the times. I'm 82. So today, I'm in a heated shed, provided by a merchant to keep

[3Hotdogs]

people out of the elements while they are waiting for their order to be assembled. One of the people there is probably in his 30's.

"Do you smoke?" (I don't. but I figured he was gonna hit me up for a cig.)

"Sorry, no I don't."

"Oh. I know most people your age do. I was wondering if you did."


Smoking is pretty much out of fashion in N.J. But anyway, I told him about my cousin who died of marijuana smoking. He didn't smoke tobacco but was heavily addicted to Marij. Marijuana contains more tar than tobacco but it doesn't contain nicotine. His lungs got so bad, at the end, he couldn't walk across his living room.

My new friend had trouble accepting that. Anyway, I'm glad his generation is not attracted to smoking.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Smoking cigarettes is pretty much at an all-time low.

It's been declining for a couple of decades.

[a kennedy]

2. I quit May 2, 2005......and I swear to gawd, if I EVER did have a drag......I'd be back to smoking.

one stinking drag and I’d be back to smoking. Was very hard to quit too…..so happy I did, but dang, i do kinda miss it.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. Thank you for that.

I myself have never smoked, so I realize I haven't a clue what the appeal is, or anything like that.

I will say I'm extremely grateful to live in a time when smoking is uncommon, and every place everywhere isn't clouded with cigarette smoke. I recall those days all too well.

On the other hand, this is something that is never mentioned in time travel stories. Were I a smoker and went back to any time before smoking started being restricted, I'm sure it would feel as if I've died and gone to heaven. As a never-smoker, I'd be horrified.

[3Hotdogs]

5. I spent 30 years, from 1976 to 2006 working with a group, N.J. G.A.S.P. (Group Against Smoking Pollution)

to make N.J. smoke free.

We wrote petitions, made radio presentations, wrote letters to editors, buttonholed legislators, spoke at local town council meetings , debated lobbyists from the Tobacco Association and on and on.

I think it was about 1995, that the first municipality went smoke free in public spaces. Soon others followed until 2006, when the N.J. legislature voted to have the state go smoke free in public spaces.

Soon, other states followed suit.

The battle is not over but things are still changing. That is why I was glad that the guy this morning was reporting that his cohort did not smoke.

[MOJohn]

4. Stop soda and smoking on the same day...

Thought it wouldn't be twice as hard doing both, so I just did it. Not going to say I didn't struggle, but that was 17 years ago.