I smoked for at least ten years, since I was around 11 or 12 or so, regularly, till I was into my early 20's. I was not a Christian at the time, but I got to thinking about how life is a gift, and that by smoking, you were pretty much guaranteed to be harming your body, and that by doing so you were basically throwing your life away. I got to thinking about my family, and how they would eventually have to deal with the fact that I considered smoking more important than years of extra time that could have been spent in a loving relationship with them. There is so much life to live, if you cannot move around without gasping for air, then how can it be enjoyable? I just wanted to be able to do as much as possible, for as long as possible. As for smoking not being a sin, I am not sure that I believe that, we are made in God's own likeness, and by causing intentional damage to it, I cannot see how that is not being disrespectful to our Maker. I know that this is basically pulling at straws here, but it is how I see it, and obviously opinions will differ, especially from someone who smokes and cannot help but to justify it by saying that they enjoy it. I say that if it is enjoyable to start something on fire, and suck the smoke into your lungs, filling them with carcinogens, tar, fiberglass, and whatever else is put in there then great, you have to deal with the consequences down the road, and go knowing that your family knows how you chose them second.For the record, when I quit, I did just that, I QUIT, I put the pack in the garbage can, got me a pack of gum, and quit. You just have to get it in your mind that you want to live a full life and stop bringing death upon yourself.
