My name is Etrina, and thankfully, I am not a smoker. I remember trying a cigarette with some friends when I was about 13. The taste was disgusting, and I ended up throwing up. That one cigarette made me so sick, I never touched another one again! However, two of my girlfriends that tried cigarettes that day are still smokers to this day (that first try was approximately 22 years ago).
 
My father died of lung cancer March 26, 1980. He was 58 years old, had been a longtime smoker, and also worked in a steel mill for over 30 years until he became too ill to work anymore. I remember how he suffered so horribly before he died.... he had a tumor that closed his esophagus, and could not eat or drink anything, he had a pre-existing heart defect that was aggravated by his smoking and eventually the cancer, and was in horrifying pain and could barely breathe until the end. I was 11 years old when my Daddy died, and I can honestly say that I still feel robbed of the joy of having him in my life even now. He missed so many important times with his children, and we would always and still do wish he were there to witness them. His death is still painful for me, and recounting this story brings sad, bitter tears to my eyes.

My sister had smoked since age 12, but stopped smoking cold turkey in January 2001, and hasn't smoked since. My fiancé had two serious bouts with pneumonia last year, and stopped smoking on March 15, 2003. As of today, he is still smoke free. My beautiful, smart, funny, and all-around wonderful niece is 25 years old now and barely knew her grandfather, since she was only a year old when he passed away. What tears my heart out even more than their lost relationship is the fact that my niece is now a smoker herself.
 
For all the joys I have had in life, I still hurt for my Daddy. I wish I could let the world feel my pain and loss. Smoking kills, no matter what the money-grubbing, profit-loving tobacco companies say. Don't believe the hype!

Etrina E., Chicago IL, April 1, 2004
(Voices Against Tobacco)

For more personal stories link to:
– Smoke-free Air for Everyone (S.A.F.E.) http://www.pacificnet.net/~safe/story.html
– Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids Voices Against Tobacco http://tfk.grassroots.com/voices/stories/