A Smoker's Decision To Stop

This poem unfolds the journey of smoking as a lifelong companion. It initially portrays its alluring image during the baby boom era but delves into its detrimental health effects. It highlights the stages at which sickness can strike smokers and underscores the overlooked dangers. It reflects on smoking's shift from societal acceptance to social alienation, drawing parallels between tar-stained walls and potential lung damage. Ultimately, it urges smokers to heed the warning signs, advocating for a critical decision — a Smoker's Decision To Stop — echoing a friend's choice to listen to their inner voice.

Transcript

A smoker's decision to stop.

Can I tell you a story about a life-loving friend?

He started life as a child,

Around a baby boom trend.

He was vibrant,

He was powerful,

He was dynamic.

That was before the habit,

Well before he was sick.

For smokers,

Sickness arrives and turns up at different stages.

For some it happens within months,

For others it decides to take ages.

My friend didn't notice the signs,

Instead he just planted the seed.

He smoked the product of the leaf,

They call the dreaded weed.

It used to be real cool to stand there puffing away.

Now you're considered an alien,

Which for some causes real dismay.

Visit an old drinker's pub and notice the walls full of tar,

Imagine that in your lungs and realise you won't get too far.

Except there's a real danger,

Ticking away like a bomb,

Including us passive smokers.

Maybe not for all,

But for some.

So consider doing as my friend did.

Before the end of his crop,

He listened to his inner voice and took a smoker's decision to stop.