It seems that we’re getting the message.
A News.com.au article is trumpeting the headline Smoking rates halved since 1980.
Just one in five Australians now smoke and the most notorious group, the 18 to 24 year olds, are leading the resistance, with 19 per cent addicted compared to 47 per cent in 1980.
The drop has been seen in both men and women and across all other age groups, including secondary school smokers, reflecting an increasing national intolerance for smoking.
The effects of the drop in numbers of smokers are becoming more and more evident. It’s now a lot easier to come home without stinking of second hand smoke. It’s also a lot easier to avoid lung cancer.
Deaths from lung cancer also continue to drop for men and have levelled out among women.
I have never even taken a puff on a cigarette but I’ve certainly breathed in enough smoke to last a shortened lifetime. My dad smoked heavily while I was growing up and his habit has effected the health of all my siblings and me.
It might have been over thirty years ago but I still remember dad’s early morning smoker’s cough. It would make me feel sick inside. It sounded like dad was about to keel over and die right there and then. Thankfully he gave up eventually but I’m sure it caused irreversible damage that he carried with him for the rest of his life. I know that I’m still carrying the effects of his smoking to this day.
Are you a smoker who’s tried to give up? Maybe you’re an ex-smoker. How did you give the smokes away?
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I know what you mean, I never smoked, light it up or tried either. Both my parents smoked and I hate the smell esp in the car!! I now found out I’m suffering exercise induced asthma and I’m not surprised, luckily it’s not full on asthma so I can be thank full.
My parents smoked a lot when I was growing up. I remember them smoking in the car. It was awful. When I was in college they quit. We were very grateful!! My dad continued sneaking on the side for several years. But I still think that at least he had cut down.
I tolerated the smoking fairly well. But once they stopped, I was unable to tolerate it. I can’t stand being in places that have that smoke smell. If my husband goes out and comes home smelling like smoke, I notice right away. I make him take a shower immediately. I think I might also be allergic now. If I go to a bar or restaurant where people are smoking, my eyes sting like crazy.
Wow that’s great news!
My folks were heavy smokers for decades but no more due to health reasons – I tried it but hated the burning sensation in my lungs!
Both my parents smoked, my dad a pipe and cigars at Christmas time. I hated it in the car also because you just couldn’t get away from it. I could never run any distance without getting out a breath (and still can’t) very quickly. I’m sure it was asthma, but it was never diagnosed until I was in my late teens and clubbing all the time in smoke filled rooms. I rarely smell smoke now and I’m very glad. I’m also very glad the laws are changing in public places. I remember writing a fictional story in high school about people illegally smoking and having to run from the authorities to avoid being prosecuted in some form or another. Is this what it will come to? I hope not in one way, you know freedom of choice and all that. I guess that’s what gets me, WHY would anyone WANT to smoke??? That’s probably the crux of the problem, getting people to not start.
Why do smokers, who are the minority, say they have the right to smoke where they want! Where is our right not have to breath their smoke! As a lung cancer survivor that never smoked I want to keep away from smokers