"I smoke for my health," I declared in a newspaper article published in 1979.{{U}} (46) {{/U}}. I reasoned that smoking made me cough and thus prevented pneumonia (肺炎); smoking made my heart go faster and eliminated the need for special exercise; smoking restrained my appetite and kept me trim. And then, at 51, I had a heart attack.
I knew the risk factors for early heart attacks include hypertension, diabetes(糖尿病), and a family history of heart disease, high blood-cholesterol (胆固醇)levels and smoking.{{U}} (47) {{/U}}.
Strange how the evidence that linked smoking to heart disease appeared unclear to me, and how the same data now appear overwhelmingly convincing. Why stop now? Smokers who stop after their first heart attack have an 80-percent chance of living ten more years-- {{U}}(48) {{/U}}.
As a smoker, I always resented the fact that we smokers received only scorn from non-smokers. How could non-smokers know that smoking was had for the health if there were no smokers to prove it? Being a member of the experimental group, rather than the control group, deserves a certain measure of social appreciation. I've done my time. I' m now ready to be a control. I no longer smoke for my health. My health can' t stand the help.
Will I miss the late - night trips to find a store that's still open and selling cigarettes? Will I miss searching through ashtrays(烟灰缸)to find the longest butt(烟蒂) that is still smokable? Only time will tell. Not smoking may give me the time to find out.
{{U}} (49) {{/U}}Sure. Here is all you have to do. First, experience a severe crushing pain under your breastbone as you finish a cigarette. Next, have yourself admitted to a coronary-care(心脏康复)unit and be stripped of your clothing and belongings. Finally, remain in the unit at absolute bed rest for four days while smoking is forbidden. This broke my habit{{U}} (50) {{/U}}
A. Was it easy to stop?
B. if they don't, a 60 percent chance.
C. See if it works for you.
D. All the smokers find it's hard to stop.
E. Since I am a doctor, this advice attracted amused attention.
F. The first four were in my favour, but I chose to smoke.