My relationship with cigarettes is a complicated one. It began at a young age, when I was curious and rebellious. I would sneak a cigarette here and there, thinking I looked cool and grown-up. But as I grew older, my relationship with cigarettes evolved into something more sinister.

In the UK, cigarettes are a ubiquitous presence. They are sold in nearly every convenience store, and the sight of someone smoking on the street is not uncommon. It’s a societal norm that has been reinforced by years of advertising and social acceptance. But as someone who has struggled with cigarettes for many years, I can confidently say that cigarettes are anything but normal.

For starters, let’s talk about the cost. In the UK, a pack of cigarettes can cost anywhere from £10 to £15. That may not seem like a lot, but for someone who smokes a pack a day, that adds up to over £3000 a year. That’s a lot of money to spend on a habit that is slowly killing you. And what do we get in return? A few minutes of relaxation and a temporary escape from stress?

But the financial cost is only a fraction of the true cost of cigarettes. The toll they take on our health is truly alarming. According to the NHS, smoking causes more than 80,000 deaths in the UK each year. It has been linked to a multitude of health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. And it’s not just smokers who are affected. Second-hand smoke is just as harmful, and it puts the health of those around us at risk as well.

But despite all of this knowledge, cigarettes continue to be a prevalent part of our society. Why? Part of it is the addictive nature of cigarettes. The nicotine in them acts as a stimulant, giving us a temporary high that can be difficult to let go of. But beyond the chemical addiction, cigarettes have also become a part of our routines and rituals. We light one up with our morning coffee, during a break at work, or after a meal. It becomes ingrained in our daily lives as a source of comfort and stress relief.

But the reality is that cigarettes do not provide any real long-term stress relief. In fact, they only exacerbate our stress. The temporary buzz that we may feel is quickly replaced by irritability, anxiety, and withdrawal symptoms. It’s a vicious cycle that keeps us dependent on cigarettes, both physically and psychologically. And the longer we smoke, the harder it becomes to break free from the addiction.

I speak from experience when I say that quitting smoking is not easy. I have attempted to quit numerous times, but each time I would inevitably give in to the cravings and light up again. It wasn’t until I truly committed to quitting and sought support from my family and friends that I was able to break free from the hold cigarettes had on me.

But even after quitting, the impact of cigarettes on my life is still present. I have developed a chronic cough and shortness of breath that I know is the result of years of smoking. And while I am grateful to have quit before any major health problems arose, I can’t help but wonder what damage I have already done to my body.

In recent years, there has been a push to make cigarettes less accessible and less appealing. The packaging has been changed to display graphic images and warnings about the dangers of smoking. And in 2020, the UK government banned the sale of menthol cigarettes, a move that was met with mixed reactions. While some believed it was a step in the right direction, others argued that it infringed on their personal freedoms.

But beyond government regulations, it’s important for us as individuals to take responsibility for our own health. It’s time to break free from the normalized and harmful habit of smoking. We must consciously make the decision to put down the cigarettes for good and not let them have control over our lives. It’s not an easy journey, but it’s one that is worth it for our health and well-being.

In conclusion, cigarettes may be a societal norm, but they are far from normal. They have a high financial, physical, and emotional cost that is not worth the temporary buzz they provide. It’s time to break free from the destructive grip of cigarettes and choose a healthier, smoke-free life. Let’s not let cigarettes continue to dictate our behaviors and ultimately our well-being. It’s time for a smoke-free future in the UK.