I am a very millitant non-smoker. I've never even touched a cigarette. My parents didn't smoke. My 2 grandparents I knew didn't smoke. None of my friends smoke/smoked.
When I was a kid, apparently, I hated the smell of smoke so much, when my parents went into a priest at our church's office for some reason or other, my sister and I really embarassed them by running around with our noses plugged singing about hating smoke! The priest just happened to be a very heavy smoker
. In high school, I remember driving out of the parking lot, and our car being the only one we saw with not one person lighting up as we drove out.
I guess to me, it hasn't even been a question. Like Yvonne, my parents never had to say anything to me about it. My friends never pressured me in any way -- not that I could be pressured -- I'd probably pressure them
.
All of which leads me to the conclusion (as a non-smoker) that the less people, particularly children, are exposed to smoking, the less likely they are to take it up. Rebelious teenagers aside, alas.
I agree with you completely. Also, to add something -- if you've seen a friend's parent or a loved one die of lung cancer before their 50th birthday, it may also make a child less likely to take it up. I watched my friend's father die before he was 45 of lung cancer, and that just strengthened my resolve never to smoke.
- Laura
