Let me begin by saying that I understand the ravages of nicotine addiction. I suffered under them for almost 15 years. And not a day goes by that in some way shape or form that I still am not suffering.
For the past five years or so the urges to use tobacco and feel the effects of nicotine have waned. Now, with the flux of youth and adult alike toking up on e-cigarettes virtually everywhere including the supermarket (yes I saw and smelled the bubble-gummy goodness in the market yesterday, the urge to get back on nicotine is strong.
I had to stop by Starbucks after shopping to get the only “fix” I still pseudo-enjoy – a good, strong coffee. And lo-and-behold on the door as I walked in was a beautiful advertisement for e-cigs.
Was this destiny? Should I give them a try?
Also keep in mind that as a counselor for an internet based tobacco class, I’ve spent years telling my children, and many, many others that smoking can kill you.
And thanks to decades of sensible public health policies — including laws banning cigarette advertising and smoking in public places — as well as brutally graphic anti-smoking marketing campaigns, my kids have been growing up in a culture in which puffing on cigarettes is stigmatized. Last year, cigarette smoking among teens fell to a record low.
I have the rush of a junkie as I write blogs about this advertisement. Tune in tomorrow for your next fix!