At the time that my son was in first grade he became aware that smoking is bad for you. From age 5 and forward, he was aware of the health risks and continuously asked me to stop smoking. His perception was that I would light a “bad cigarette” and fall over dead on the spot. He knew that smoking caused heart attacks, strokes, and cancer from things that he was taught at school, and also different things he’d picked up in society or on TV.
There were times that I’d tell him, “Buddy, mom’s going outside to smoke quick,” and he would look like he was literally holding his breath from the time that I walked outside until I returned safely after that cigarette. He told me recently that he’s worried about my smoking ever since he can remember. One of the questions that he used to ask me was- “Mom, don’t you want to be here to see me grow up?” continue reading…
