What is it that makes people smoke? I mean, yes, many years ago there were many pressures on families.
A lot of stresses and a lot of unresolved issues.
Particularly so after the war had ended.
Life was tough then.
But it is not so tough now.
Also, then, there was very little help from the governments in terms of health advice and health awareness.
Even doctors and nurses smoked and promotional adverts were everywhere.
It was a cool and expected thing to do.
Even I might have been tempted.
My parents certainly were.
But now things are different.
There are blocks on advertizing, warnings on cigarette packets and numerous research outcomes showing that smoking leads to death.
Education is everywhere but the blind might not see or hear it.
So people continue to smoke.
Even people that we would consider eminently sensible in every other way.
Even the effects of passive smoking is ignored.
The innocent suffer in discomfort and ill health because of the actions of others.
Something must compel smokers to smoke even in the face of the risks to their own health and the risks they are causing to other, innocent, people.
Something must drive them.
Push them.
Is it addiction? I think not - well not that alone.
I have met many smokers who have not been smoking long enough to be addicted.
Therefore is it insolence in the face of authority? Perhaps.
Perhaps also it is the pressure of conformity - the same pressure that makes people drink, carry knives and guns and take drugs.