Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46A Smoker for More than 25 Years The next person I talked about smoking was my sixty-seven year old grandmoth- er. My grandmother smoked for more than twenty-five years, and quit. When she began smoking, people had no idea there was anything wrong with smoking and it was considered an adult thing to do.The effect of peer pressure is obvious here as well. Everyone she knew (includ- ing her parents) smoked. None of her current friends smoke and she is living a smoke-free life.I asked her how cigarettes made her feel then, and what it was like to quit. She said in the beginning, she enjoyed it and found it relaxing. She quit two years ago and has experienced no bad effects. I asked if she thought about smoking related diseases like cancer,she said that she didn’t think about it then and that she only learned about these later. Her family were mostly all smokers, includ- ing parents and siblings. When I asked her about the new smok- ing laws, she stated that businesses should be able to decide their own rules and that public spaces should allow smoking. I disagree with allowing smoking in pub- lic places, because if the laws there were passed, then obviously the majority was not in favor of smoking. She Smoked,Then Quit My final interview was with a person who had smoked for at least ten years but had quit. Her name is Cathi, forty two years old, who has worked as a nurse and is a university student. She started smoking with friends; It was considered an adult and cool thing to do. Some of her other friends started smoking when she did, but none of her current friends smoke. She did not enjoy smoking when she first started, but it helped her feel re- laxed. It now makes her feel disgusted, she began her trial of quitting when she became bored of it, she became deter- mined and quit. When in social situations, she would be tempted to smoke. When asked about smoking related diseases,she stated that as a nurse she thinks about those things often. Both cancer and emphysema are devastating and can ruin lives. I asked how she felt about the smoking laws in Athens.She said that people have the right to smoke, but they shouldn’t be allowed to smoke in shopping centers and store entrances. My Conclusions I believe that a clear message is given throughout not only this interview but all the other interviews: Peer pressure can cause a lot of people to smoke, and while it may feel relaxing and help re- lieve stress, it is a silent killer. I (mostly) agree with Cathi’s opinion, however it’s my opinion that smokers should only be kept away from all heav- ily-traveled areas and their smoking zones should be away from these areas. COMING SOON ... to a wrist near you! At ALC last May, our Adult Leaders voted overwhelmingly in favor for us to proceed with plans for our bracelet program in support of living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. We are working out details, and we will inform you when we are ready to launch. STAY IN THE LOOP: Watch for our announcement. Log on to www.youngmarines.com for more details. ESPRIT ONLINE | Page 17