LOL! Good one, Rick. Actually, Castro quit smoking some years ago, as an encouragement to the Cuban public to follow suit and improve their health. (hard to believe, but he did quit!)

He's also been lecturing them on the evils of rum, and keeping the price high (by Cuban standards) to discourage sales.

When I was down there, I was told by some of my young (and very revolutionary - against the system) musician friends that alcoholism among men is probably the biggest social problem in Cuba. It leads to a lot of fights and domestic violence.

Another ongoing struggle is that of the women to overcome the old Cuban machismo. Cuban women are a pretty feisty and independent lot. The men would prefer things to remain traditional ("it's a man's world" would sum up their attitude).

- LH