We all know smoking is a bad habit that brings about all sorts of illnesses later in life. That's just too bad for those who smoke. But how do you deal if the smoker is a loved one or a close friend?

Reality Check

Smokers are selfish people. They strut around with their vintage Zippo lighters, lighting up whenever they feel like it without thinking about the people around them. They feel that they're entitled to ruin their own lives as they see fit. What they don't know, or at least try to ignore, is the fact that every time they light a cigarette with their vintage Zippo lighters, they're making a contribution to the decline of other people's health.

Unfiltered, Unprotected

Secondhand smoke, or the smoke inhaled by non-smokers from smokers, is in fact just as dangerous (if not more) as actually puffing on a cigarette themselves. When a smoker lights up a cigarette with one of those vintage Zippo lighters, the smoke he or she inhales has fewer amounts of nicotine, owing to the cigarette's filter. Those who are inhaling the smoke secondhand, however, do not have the protection of a filter. As a result, the nicotine inhaled by secondhand smokers is of a much higher concentration than that of a smoker.

Join The Bandwagon

With this fact in mind, non-smokers better keep their distance away from smokers. That's easy to say but very hard to do, especially if the smoker involved is a family member or close friend. Most non-smokers simply grin and bear it. Some are even so used to it that they unknowingly consume just as many cigarettes as the smoker. If that's the case, non-smokers are better off just lighting up with one of those vintage Zippo lighters themselves. As they say, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

The Real Deal

As much as that makes sense, that's obviously not the best way to handle the situation. The smoker needs to be made aware of the effects his or her habit is having on the people around him or her. It won't be easy. Most smokers can't see sense, even when it's staring them right in the face, as sure as the vintage Zippo lighters in their hands. But with constant intervention and guidance, it's more than likely that they'll be willing to give kicking the habit a try.

Of course, it will take a lot of commitment on your part. Like all addicts, smokers need help. Relinquishing those vintage Zippo lighters won't be easy. Counseling might help, as well as smoking cessation aids like patches, gums, vaccines, and pills. Drugs might be dangerous for serious addicts, though. They may just end up going from one addiction to another. It is important to contact a health professional to find out what's best for your loved one.

Indeed, the best way to help a smoker fight the addiction is through the unwavering support of his or her loved ones. It might seem like a lot of effort, but all you really need to do is to be there, just as you always have been. Only this time, you're both breathing clean air.

About the Author

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