In the last 5 years I have lost many friends. Friends I have had for years, when we were young and invincible and nothing could touch us. I've lost count. There was Sharon, she was my best friend, then Jim, Pete was another hard one, Cheryl, Judy who I've known for over 20 years, Mary, Rose Ann, my daughter's father and I am sure there are some I am forgetting. Just today I went to a memorial for my cousin who recently passed away. Everyone one of them died before their time and everyone of them smoked. I have not been to one funeral of a person that did not smoke in years. Some died from lung cancer, a painful, miserable death. Most died from things like pneumonia, COPD, bronchitis, and other lung issues. Many, like my cousin, started with a common sickness like the flu but rapidly went downhill and developed breathing problems. Several were in the hospital a long time before they passed. Cheryl lay in her hospital bed knowing that death was near but others were vented and not awake for a long time. Just a few weeks ago another friend, Joe, was given the diagnosis of terminal cancer, about a year left. I went to visit him in the rehab facility after he had surgery and we sat outside in the cold so he could smoke.
I always thought that smoking harmed others but not me or people I knew. But as I get older I've watched it get closer. It is very real now. Even though I have quit I know that I still have a greater risk of problems just because I did smoke for years. My cousin quit a few years ago but it was too late. The damage was done. My boyfriends father quit over 10 years ago but he has COPD so bad he is on oxygen 24/7. He recently caught a cold and wound up in ICU with pneumonia. He was lucky and managed to recover.
Sadly, I didn't even quit for my health. I quit because I can't afford $300 a month on something I don't live in or drive. Now I am glad I did and I feel a lot better but it took the cost to force the issue for me. Whatever reason it takes, please try and quit. You will never be sorry that you quit but you may always regret that you smoked.