“…if me and a certain character met
The guy that invented the cigarette
I’d murder that son-of-a-gun in the first degree.”
MUMBAI: “…if me and a certain character met
The guy that invented the cigarette
I’d murder that son-of-a-gun in the first degree.”
Yes, I sure would. I ain’t no smoker, nor do I care whose health comes in harms way.
But nicotine slaves are all the same…the world has to stop till they have another cigarette.
Every time my colleague Sammy lights up inside the cab, more so on rainy days with windows rolled up and not a care for a poor co-passenger coughing away, I wish he’d go up in smoke. And every other creature who does not believe their right to smoke is as fundamental as my right not to inhale that smoke.
I’ve come to dread eating out—Darjeeling tea often smells of the Wills or Gold Flakes around, and sizzlers give off less smoke than the obnoxious whippersnapper at the next table, oblivious to my discomfort.
No Gandhi Jayanti holiday for me on October 2. But to all those who say awareness, and not legislation, is the key, please note that the lock is jammed and needs breaking open.
As Kim, the chirpy little bird in our office will admit, even the most potent doomsday messages can’t keep a smoker from his poison. But a ban on smoking in public places could at least let me enter office without choking in the chimney that everyone calls the lobby. Clarity on what comprises a ‘public place’ will sure help. As will taking the anti-tobacco battle to school.
But till every potential smoker is nipped in the bud (or at play school), the small beginning made on October 2 will at least let my tribe breathe easy. After all, not all smokers are like my first boss. When Seema realised her cigarette had me asphyxiated, she never let anyone take a drag while I was around.
No nicotine nanny can get a Mark Twain to quit. Not that I care as long as his ilk stay out of my way. As Merle Travis and Tex Williams would say:
Smoke, smoke, smoke that cigarette
Puff, puff, puff and if you smoke
yourself to death
Tell St Peter at the Golden Gate
That you hate to make him wait
But you gotta have another cigarette
c_sonali@dnaindia.net
VIEW: Don’t ban smoking, lend a helping hand
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