| Many people are starters and not finishers. We all | | | | much to look at, the brain views it as nothing short of |
| know someone who can talk a great game but in the | | | | extraordinary. The nicotine beguiles the brain with such |
| end, can't be counted on to complete the task. | | | | an intoxification, creating an intense yearning for more |
| Sometimes, I even find myself in that category of | | | | and more. However, found lurking within the plain white |
| person. If only we could take a pill for commitment. | | | | paper, are all sorts of nastiness just waiting for that |
| Now wouldn't that save a lot of marriages? | | | | first puff. That first inhalation binds the chemicals of the |
| Well, there is a drug that can raise a person's | | | | brain with its new found partner, creating an easy |
| commitment level. A substance that has scientific | | | | pathway for its slow and plodding forces. Each puff |
| proof and years of data showing its abilities. | | | | bringing in another wave of reinforcements to do their |
| Unfortunately, it doesn't actually help us become better | | | | harm. This process then gets repeated ten, twenty |
| spouses, employees or athletes. It does help us | | | | maybe thirty times a day. All the while, nicotine clears |
| become more committed to itself though. Of course, | | | | the way, enabling this process to continue for years |
| we're talking about nicotine. Many scientists believe | | | | and years to come. |
| nicotine is just as, if not more powerfully addictive, then | | | | The willing victim, of course, is oblivious to the chemical |
| that little white powder frequently shown on cop | | | | reactions taking place. All they know is they somehow |
| shows or found growing in the fields of third world | | | | feel better when they light up. Some how, they feel |
| countries. That is absolutely startling in my viewpoint. | | | | satisfaction, although they have done nothing special. |
| Here we have one of the most addictive drugs known | | | | They haven't climbed Mt. Everest or saved a child |
| to mankind, yet it gets grandfathered into our good | | | | from drowning. But they are strangely content and so |
| graces of society because of its importance as a | | | | the relationship flourishes. How ironic that when times |
| trade crop during the time of our founding fathers in | | | | are tough and stress is at its zenith, smokers will crave |
| early America. We have unwavering tolerance for a | | | | that feeling. They'll crave that contentment. At the |
| drug that indirectly kills an estimated 20% of our | | | | worst possible time, they are putting the worst possible |
| population each year. We have expensive ad | | | | thing in their systems. Over time that feeling, that basic |
| campaigns to slow down drunk driving because it kills. | | | | emotion, hooks the victim without fanfare and without |
| We have laws against just about everything | | | | warning. The smoker now lights up without a second |
| considered bad. But smoking tobacco gets a pass, | | | | thought. It's as much a part of their life as eating and |
| despite it's annual health care costs in dollars and lives | | | | drinking. Mazlow's hierarchy of needs now includes, |
| each year. As I sit here recording my thoughts, I | | | | nicotine rich, smoking. |
| regretfully draw the eventual comparison to | | | | Nicotine has done its job. All done before the war on |
| Afghanistan and its illicit drug trade. One drug has | | | | the body even started. The heavy battery of cancer, |
| political and economic acceptance, while the other gets | | | | lung disease, and cardiovascular disease have yet to |
| rejected and its fields burned to the ground. | | | | be brought into the fight; yet the terms of surrender |
| What makes nicotine so insidious is its ability to mask | | | | have been signed and the long term occupation begins. |
| the delivery package. Although cigarettes are not | | | | |