Recently, I stumbled on a brilliant anti-smoking ad in Thailand. It was introduced as such...
"Almost all smokers know cigarettes are bad for them. They are not delusional. Watch how one as campaign got smokers to acknowledge the harms out loud, perhaps making their first step to change."
If this ad, does not prick your innards to check yourself into rehab, I don't know what will.
Anyway...
I don't like smoking. I completely abhor the smell, whatever brand or kind. (Oh, wait. I love the smell of smoked fish though :) ) Sometimes, the habit makes me despise smokers. Wrong, I know. Hate the habit, not the person. I am working on it!
It is indeed true that smokers know that smoking is bad for them, wrong even. On one of my evening walks, I stop by a kiosk to buy a mango. They had 'called' me from afar, yellow and inviting. As I was busy choosing a couple, I am distracted by a young man ordering for 'spoti mbili'. I let out a silent grunt ...another smoker. Please God don't let him light it up here! Well, he did light it up there. And drew in the first puff with such hunger! The need to get mangos and get out of there got real! LOL!
What I hadn't noticed all this time, was that he wasn't unaccompanied. There was a little boy, standing silently, patiently. I only noticed him, when the older one told him..."Na usiwahi vuta sigara, umeskia?" (Translated: Don't ever smoke cigarettes!) I wanted to laugh, then I got angry.
What? That's your strategy? Smoke in-front of a 7 year old kid and tell him "Don't ever smoke?" Wow! If I had stayed there ten seconds more, I would have hurt someone, well maybe just their feelings. I wanted to tell him, "If you're not going to stop smoking, at least do it away from the young ones!" But I didn't, don't ask me why. Silence is golden....sometimes. Am doing it now.
My point is, there is a big responsibility to bring up the next generation on a good moral foundation. Morality. Everyone defines it differently. Story for another day. This one clearly knew he didn't want the kid smoking. why do it in his presence? It will only spark curiosity. And they will do it. Once. Twice. Many times.
So today I just wanted to vent :) Done did! Please excuse my tone. If you are reading this, please be responsible. If you care, don't just voice it, show it.
