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Comment on Smoking
 By
Mrs. Gina Pitts, Emergency Cardiac Care Manager and Smoking
Cessation Counsellor - Heart & Stroke Foundation
I read with interest the article in The
Nation on Friday June 2 reporting an interview with Mr. Mark
Williams. I am very concerned about his views particularly
coming so soon after World No Tobacco Day on Wednesday May 31.
It is very clear that Mr. Williams is indeed
addicted to the nicotine that is contained in cigarettes as was
seen in several comments he made. For example the requirement
for early morning smoking is a sure sign of a strong addiction.
So too is the inability to sleep if no cigarettes are available.
Additionally, the level of agitation when he
was unable to smoke on a long haul flight is yet another sign of
an addiction.
It must be remembered that one’s attitude
must change before the behaviour can change. Someone can
languish in not being interested for many years even if
information is made available. That person has to move into
being prepared to change once they acknowledge that they are
addicted. They then make the changes required to stop smoking
and move on to maintain that change. Often there is a relapse
but support can assist.
It should not be underestimated that boredom
or relaxation are one of the main reasons a person smokes. Not
everyone who smokes will die of cancer; however it is the
smoking related morbid illnesses, such as emphysema, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease or even stroke,
that affect a significant number of persons. Smoking also
seriously irritates asthmatics and is certainly now unsociable.
We see from here that self-recognition is
the key and I challenge Mr. Williams to stop, and stay stopped,
to show not only himself but also everyone else that he is not
addicted!
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