"I smoke for my health," I proclaimed in a newspaper
article published in 1979. Since I am a doctor, this advice attracted amused
attention. I reasoned that smoking made me cough and thus prevented pneumonia;
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 disease, high
blood-cholesterol levels and smoking. The first four were in my favor, but 1;
chose to smoke. 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—if they don’t, a
60-per cent chance. As a smoker, I always resented the fact
that we smokers received only scorn from nonsmokers. How could nonsmokers know
that smoking was bad 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. 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 that is still smokable Only time will tell. Not
smoking may give me the time to find out. Was it easy to stop
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 ad-solute bed rest for four days while smoking is
forbidden. This broke my had-it. See if it works for you. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage
A. The society should take some care of smokers.
B. Non-smokers should be grateful to smokers.
C. The writer believes he will live longer provided he quits smoking.
D. The writer used to butt cigarettes late at night.