World No-Tobacco Day

May 31 has been declared by the United Nations as World No-Tobacco Day.  I've quit smoking 14 years ago after going from cigarettes to cigar and ending with pipe tobacco for nearly 15 years.  This year's theme is Raise Tobacco Tax, Lower Death and Disease.

Although 'smokes' are quite expensive here in NZ, it has not deterred people from getting into the habit.  I see very young people, even kids, puffing away.  Age and gender doesn't matter when it comes to smoking.  And it goes for the sickness and disease too.  Young and old, male and female gets sick and die from smoking.  I read somewhere that even those who are not smoking, gets sick and may die from what is known as 'second-hand smoking.'  It may only be me, but as a former smoker, I really get irritated with people who don't give a care whether their smoke invades my space.

I think this country is trying to be 'smoke-free' by 2020, which is a just a mere 6 years away.  Can we do it?  Is it possible?  We'll have to test the 'if there's a will there's a way' concept to the limit.