Allen Carr

Was just reading BBC News Online (as I do pretty much every morning to procrastinate!), and came across this link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6194670.stm. I don't think I've heard of Allen Carr before today, but from reading this article he seems like a remarkable man. Cutting your smoking from 100 a day to nothing is no small achievement, and for him then to go on to centre his life around helping millions of others to quit is, well, inspirational.

I've detested smoking and everything about it all my life. Have never even had one puff on a cigarette or joint, which is kind of surprising in this day! Until a few years back both my parents smoked, and as a kid/teenager I was forever berating them for it, and to be fair they would always go in another room to light up (although of course that didn't stop Sam and I inhaling passively!). Of course, as soon as I moved to Birmingham and stopped having a go they decided to quit (typical! Maybe some of what I said actually got through). Thank God they did though, it's so nice to have a house that DOESN'T smell of smoke, or to go on a long car journey without them lighting up. Hopefully they've done their bodies some good. Although I don't intend to be a barman for long, I can't wait for the smoking ban to come in (is it next May?). Not sure on the whole "right to smoke" argument - there are a lot of flaws in it.

According to the article, Carr helped establish over 70 clinics in 30 countries to help people give up, and was willing to be in many a smoke-filled room if he was to help others. Like I say, an inspiration, and proof that giving up can be a truly fulfilling experience. I suppose it helps you focus on the REALLY important things in life. And we all know why smoking hasn't been banned in public areas earlier or even illegalised (I'm guessing that's a word!) - it's all to do with taxes and multi-national corporations' influence on politicians. Apparently that's more important than the right to life and human dignity.

Let's make sure this disgusting, filthy, harmful, and selfish habit is banned once and for all.
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