Quit Smoking Now!

My mother died 39 years ago this week at the age of 47. She had a bad heart and lungs that were damaged with cigarette smoke. Every day she faught for breath. The cigarettes finally killed her. She didn't know the damage they were doing to her body until it was too late. There is no excuse now - we all know that smoking knackers your lungs, causes arteries to fur up, and brings on no end of other illnesses. QUIT SMOKING NOW!

Will the Greek people ever stop smoking? It is something that I am very passionate about. Tobacco cost me a lot. It cost me my mother. Every time I go into a bar, cafeneo or restaurant, and see the 'No Smoking' sign I am encouraged, but in the same instant I shake my head, because this sign means nothing. It is just another law that has been passed to appease Europe, another law that will never be enforced by the Greek police. But it is not only the Greek people who put two fingers up to the no smoking laws, it is also visitors to this land, the English, the Dutch, the Germans, and others, who refuse to be responsible citizens and continue to smoke in those public places that specifically announce 'NO SMOKING'. I agree that every person should be given the right to smoke if he or she so wishes, but they should not inflict their deadly smoke on those people who prefer not to gunge up their lungs with tar.

And now, with the state of the economy in Greece, which business owner is going to turn away customers because they smoke? It's not going to happen. Livings have to be made. So people will continue to smoke everywhere in Greece. As for me, well I don't smoke and I never have. And I have choices: I can be a customer at places that tolerate smokers, or I can keep away.

The thing is, for your own sake, realise what cigarette smoke does to your body. Remember my mother, and thousands of other mothers who have died because of smoking. Don't let it be you. Don't leave your children to live their lives without a mother, as I have. QUIT SMOKING NOW!

I mean it!
Love Jane x