You're right, Ebbie. And not all of us fall like flies for the same toxins, either. Everyone has a different physiology, different tolerance levels, different strengths and weaknesses.

I was driving up a mountainside near Hope BC a couple years ago when I noticed an old man on a bike ahead of me. He caught my eye because his hair was so silver, his bike was laden down with gear and that was one steep grade. I was impressed ... there I was 30 or so years younger, and I wouldn't have wanted to try keeping up with him!

But the biggest shocker was when I passed him and noticed he had a pipe hanging out of his mouth, thick smoke curling out around his head. :-O   I couldn't believe my eyes! I wished I had a camera! He would have made a great "Bite Me!" poster to defend myself against all the propoganda about Tobacco these days.

But I think I've told this story on the Cat before, and had it all shot to h***. Oh well. Don't get me wrong - I'm NOT saying anyone should start smoking, or that all smokers are anything like that old man - but I do think it depends on personal biology, physical history and lifestyle. If that old guy had been smoking while biking up mountainsides all his life, well ... maybe it's not so surprising after all.

Now here's a hypothesis - because I smoke a few cigarettes every day, the self-cleaning mechanisms in my throat and lungs get more of a daily work-out than your average non-smoker. My body has been dealing (successfully so far, touch wood!) with tobacco smoke since I was only 10 years old. Could it be possible that because of the "exercise" my body got (and gets) flushing out the toxins, it developed a stronger "flushing mechanism" /immune system than typically found in non-smokers? Is that why I hardly ever get sick, and have never been plagued with the respiratory ailments so many other people suffer with?

All of my siblings smoked for years, except one. I'm the only one that has yet to "kick the habit". It's interesting that out of the 4 who quit, 3 have since developed athsmatic tendencies and allergies to air-borne particles, for the first time in their lives. All have gained weight. And worst of all, they've become so insulting and holier-than-thou I find them quite the challenge to be around these days, as well.

McGrath is right - ... coming on too heavy doesn't help people quit, it just gives them an extra reason to keep smoking.

daylia