CBC News - Health - Smoking bans cut hospital admissions: study

CBC News - Health - Smoking bans cut hospital admissions: study

What has smoking done for you? What has smoking done for the people around you?

My father was a pack a day smoker since I can remember. He tried many times to quit smoking but it never seemed to work. Once he found out he had cancer at the age of 46, he went cold turkey. But, luckily the cancer was in his nasal cavity. Why does it take a person to have something happen to them or someone around them to change?

After 2 years of chemotherapy he wasn't cancer free yet. Even though the cancer was gone there is still a possibility it may resurface. And this year marked his tenth check up, the doctor examined and nothing resurfaced. The doctor said this was his final visit and congratulated him. My father was happy and there was that skip in his step when we left the hospital. The doctor actually said he was cancer free, because after the tenth year, mostly 100% of patients' with this condition, will never resurface again.

I feel within these 12 years of worrying, my father, my mother, my brother and I became closer. Spent more time talking and communicating in the family. Even though smoking brought this family pain and worry, it made this family think about life.

Life is precious, please don't wait till something to happen to do something. Do something now to change it. Spend more time with your family and friends. Stop bad habits to prevent illnesses and arguments. The choice is yours.