Every time I pick up a newspaper or turn on the television, I witness the further outlawing of smokers and smoking.  Smoking is a filthy habit, we all know that, but stopping smoking is not a subject to be taken lightly. It can be really hard!

Although I haven't smoked a cigarette in over 41 years, I can still feel akin to those who are addicted to nicotine.  I don't think we should be taking advantage of anyone who smokes by charging them outrageous prices via taxes on their habit.  Give 'em a break.

I have always had difficulty understanding why smokers and not drinkers are singled out for this kind of abuse.  After all, I had much rather have a smoker driving behind me in traffic than someone who has had a few drinks.  

When I quit smoking, cigarettes sold for 21 cents a pack.  Now, I understand that the same pack of smokes most often costs over $3 and as much as five dollars or more in some states.

Not only are we levying exorbitant taxes on cigarettes, we are making second-class citizens out of those who are addicted.  We should be helping them break the habit instead of robbing them and segregating them from humanity.

Now don't get me wrong.  I don't want to sit in a restaurant, or anywhere else for that matter, while folks next to me puff away.  But we have gone to the extreme when we outlaw smoking everywhere in some localities.  Give these folks just a little space, please.

If federal control of health care is approved, look for even greater prohibitions.  There is talk here and there of outlawing smoking in all outdoor environments and even in one's own backyard, automobile or home.

I am forever grateful that I saw the light and broke the habit.  I had “cut down' hundreds of times but I only “quit' once.  Late one Saturday night in 1968, I was studying my Sunday School lesson in bed.  The subject was “Idolatry.”  I never smoked in bed and always got up and went into the bathroom for a smoke before going to sleep.  As I lit up, I thought, “I'm addicted to this nasty habit!”  In fact, I realized smoking was a sort of idolatry and I extinguished that “last” cigarette and threw the pack in the trash.

I went back to bed and prayed, “Lord, I can't kick this habit by myself.  You'll have to help.”  He did and I have never fired up another smoke.

A few years later, I was telling this story to my friend and Charlotte Observer columnist, the late Kays Gary.  Lo and behold, a day or two later, I found my “testimony” on the front page of Carolina's foremost newspaper.

Kays was a much-loved fixture throughout both Carolinas and in addition to suffering a life-long addition to nicotine he was a major benefactor of the Holy Angels Nursery in Belmont, N.C., which is run by Catholic nuns and cares for severely handicapped children. Over the years, I suppose Kays was responsible for raising more money that anyone else for the worthy work of these ladies.

Kays frequently proclaimed in his daily newspaper column that he was indeed going to quit smoking — again! He once told me that life had afforded him only two curses — one was nicotine addition and the other was being named “Kays” by his parents.  It was a family name but since Kays was a male, the name always caused confusion.  Kays complained through the years about receiving mail and phone calls in which he was addressed as “Miss Kays Gary.”

After yet another proclamation in his column that he was going to kick the cigarette habit, I sent him a personal check made out to Holy Angels Nursery with the stipulation that the check was not to be cashed until 90 days after Kays' complete cessation of smoking.

Years later, when I saw Kays for the last time before he died, he told me that when he cleared out his desk at the Charlotte Observer upon his retirement, he found my un-cashed check among the year's of accumulated dusty mementoes stashed in the bottom drawer. He never made the stipulated ninety days!

Kays never achieved the title of “non-smoker” here on earth but I suspect that he is surrounded by his kids from Holy Angels, who have also passed into Glory, encouraging him to put down that cigarette! MISTER Kays Gary. And, I bet he did.

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA

Once a year I remind readers that copies of my book, “Southern Breezes Whistle Dixie” make excellent Christmas gifts.  They are on sale at most local outlets or at Amazon.com. Or, you can send a check for $12.95 plus $2.50 for mailing to Southern Observer Press, PO Box 1711, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.

John Brock is a retired college professor and, newspaper editor/publisher, who lives in Georgetown County.  He can be reached by mail at this ne