"hk" wrote in message
...

Some years ago, I was at a breakfast meeting in Chicago with some of the
officers of an international union. The exec veep lit up, and I said,
"Jesus, Tommy, would you put out the f*cking cigarette or I'll puke in
your eggs, and stop smoking before it kills you."




That must have been quite a few years ago. Smoking at meetings, dinners, in
public places went out by the 1990's either by law or by social pressure.

I used to smoke like a chimney, but have cut back significantly in an
attempt to stay healthy as long as I can. Hopefully this is the year I give
it up entirely.

I still smoke occasionally, but only in designated places even at my own
house. If I have an itch for a butt on the boat, I go out in the cockpit
area. If people are visiting that I know don't smoke, I don't smoke. We
don't allow smoking in our house, but we don't forbid anyone from smoking
anywhere outside.

I think it should be a personal choice, not legislated. Long term smoking
is a tough habit to kick and I admire people who have successfully done so
completely. Success is gained by encouragement, not by condemnation or
punishment.

Eisboch