Expert: Christine Rowley - 12/5/2000

Question
I see friends who have been ordered to stop smoking by their doctors keep right on smoking.

Should I say something or stay out of it?

TIA

Answer
I know it can be heartbreaking to watch people light up when you know what it can do to them. The question is, do they really know what can happen, or are they possibly living in denial hoping nothing will ever happen to them. If you nag, it tends to turn them off. If you don't say anything, you feel guilty. The best thing is just to let them know you fully support them if they want to quit smoking.

The addiction is strong and often people cannot see themselves stricken by lung disease and emphysema and the many cancers attributed to smoking. They believe it will never happen to them so they put off quitting.

Christy Turlington, Calvin Klein's model has just been diagnosed with Emphysema at age 31. You can find that story and link here: http://quitsmoking.about.com/library/blnews2use.htm

Another that will get you thinking about having to be "old" before you get sick is "He Wanted You to Know", Young Bryan Curtis' story and others can be found in this Victims of Tobacco library: http://quitsmoking.about.com/health/quitsmoking/cs/victims/index.htm

Gently get your friend to take a peek at these stories and they may think again before they light up. I hope this answered your question.

Christine
http://quitsmoking.about.com