As I start my day grabbing my sandwich and munching it on the way to the college, I often look at this boy in blue college uniform, who smokes in hurry, making me a passive smoker. I hardly get to see his face. He smokes two cigarettes together. Innovative isn't it? He leans on the same compound, wherein Mittu, the black doggy had a leak sometime back. He looks at me, from the mist. He makes his eyes smaller and continues to stare. He forms rings of smoke which resemble the one circus masters hold, for their dogs to jump into.
Being allergic to smoke, I start scratching my neck and ask him not to smoke, “I am allergic”. He smashes the cigarette under his shoe and says “Sorry” but I can't start the day without this. Addiction? No a habit. I walk off.
The college construction is going on, as usual. The labourers sit on the pile of sand and smoke beedies. It seemed like the entire P.V.S production is consumed by these alone. They have a typical way of holding it, as though a great writer holding his pen, thinking about his next write up. Few also have tea while smoking. It's a belief that it gives them added freshness.
Have a puff, and it will make you feel free of worries throughout the day! This was the advice, given to me when I asked Riya to quit smoking, some days back.
Riya says, smoking is back in trend! Fashion keeps repeating itself. Now it is very much in trend to have a cigarette. “Oh I see, the labourers seem to be in fashion too”. Eh come on! I have a standard. They smoke beedies. Everything looks the same. You look the same when you smoke too. You spend a little more on it, they go in for cheaper ones. She calls me “ancient”, and walks away.
He says, I smoke when I am tensed. It relaxes me, keeps me calm and takes my worries away! Also fifteen minutes from your lifespan I added. Aunty ji, it is common now. I don't smoke tabbaco. I smoke weed. It has health benefits. It is legalized in many countries too. It increases concentration and makes you feel happy. “Why don't you meditate and practice yoga, if all that you need is just peace?” Now, please don't ask me to do “Kapalbhati”. He says and offers a cigarette saying, “Try it”. “I prefer taking deep breaths when tensed over kissing the cigarette butts. After all they are just butts!”
“I smoke as a gesture of socializing. I smoke sometimes when I attend parties. Everyone does. Girls love it you see. Man smoking the cigarette in style! He winks and says, “You won't understand”. Girls also smoke and they look Hell sexy! Didn't you see Kareena smoke in the movie Heroine? I answer; the movie wasn't about publicizing smoking but portraying the downfall in her life.
Well, this is the problem with youngsters these days. All the bad is attractive. Media also portrays smoking as Romantic and glamorous. It looks good on the screen. In reality, it stinks! Your eyes water, your runny red nose isn't sexy at all! Sometimes, the people around you cough, making stern faces at you. Bad boys are hot! Only on the screens. In reality, girls correct their duppattas looking at the man smoke on roads. Smoking is not at all appealing to look at!
To all the ones who say, that they can't get their morning business done without a puff, my advice to you all, have a diet which is rich in fiber content, have bananas, drink lots of water, have a glass of milk, or go on a morning walk! The healthy ways are many. Try them. Smoking in the toilets leaves it stinking throughout the day!
To all the ones who think, smoking makes them feel very creative and fresh, you must try meditating. Nothing beats the pleasure of it! Exercise regularly. It stimulates endorphins in your body, making you feel happy. Creativity which spoils your health, leaves your mouth stinking and your lips dark is of no use.
To all the ones, who smoke because you think it is a part of getting socialized, and the ones who think of it as being trendy, you can try having ice creams with your friends in a parlour! Set a style statement “Make ice creams the new way of being social”. You can have it in style. I bet you will definitely look cool! Or munch on Carrots and be healthier! Be different! Be healthy!
Because, being healthy is now in fashion!
Arpita Chipkar is a student of Journalism and a regular contributor to Coastaldigest.com
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