Quote Originally Posted by Denyce
*L* I get your sarcasm here and I understand although I think it was snarky and unbecoming of someone whose posts I have usually admired for their wit and intelligence.
I apologize if I came off as snarky. Next week will be five years since I quit smoking. It was very difficult. I was seriously addicted from the first cigarette I smoked. I blame no one but myself for having started. But I don't think it is accurate to say nicotine is not THAT addictive. Some researchers believe it to be more addictive than "hard drugs." Ann Richards, former governor of Texas was an alcoholic and a smoker. She found it easier to quit drinking than smoking.

When I was smoking I, nine out of ten times, would prefer a cigarette to food. I felt that food rather ruined the taste of cigarettes.

Any addiction, whether it be overeating, cigarettes, alcohol or drugs...begins with wanting to quit. But I believe it is more than just a matter of saying....I don't want to do this anymore...and that if you continue doing it is because of some mental weakness. It is far more complex than that.

One of the nice things I will say about living in California is that smoking is not allowed in many places. But ....I can see smoking bans in public places, offices, etc. But I think if a bar or restaurant wants to say..."we allow smoking...if you don't like second hand smoke you should not patronize us" they should be allowed to do so. Then those who want to spend their money in a places that bans smoking can do so and those who want to spend their money in a place that permits smoking can do so. Those who want to work in a place that allows smoking can do so and those that don't will know the rules up front.

I don't see it the same as an arena, courthouse, mall, theater, etc. There, smoking should not be permitted.

I just don't like being told what to do....