A personal story about the impact of tobacco

My own grandfather died when i was three, and he smoked a pipe. i never really saw him as we lived on different continents, so it was quite tragic. I am in full sympathy with others,
Jasmine

I think that though Henrietta is very brave and inspirational, and was right to share her story, i have a nagging feeling that Ivan is correct in some aspects. Because we do not want to remember our loved ones in a bad light, we can sometimes get a bit selfish. Henrietta, i believe, however, did not show this – though some might.
Jasmine

Truly inspiring. I don’t detect any bitterness but a desire to change things for the better and for other people.

Henrietta, thank you for sharing your -all to familiar- story. I won’t comment much on those who dishonour the victims of real oppression, (of the gulags, the concentration camps and in Darfur for example), by claiming kinship on the grounds they are being given direct and honest health information. I can see others have reached their own conclusions.

Hi Henri, thanks for taking the time to share your mum’s story, my mum also smokes and wishes she had never started. If we can change the habits of teenagers now then future mum’s will be around alot longer. Linda

Henrietta, I always hold on to the fact that there are more kind caring people who want to help change others lives by sharing their experiances and I for one want to thank you for thinking of others when you made the difficult decision to share your story in such a lovely way. I too have cancer so feel I can speak for myself and others and I wish I had never started smoking, this campaign will go some way to helping othesr make up their own minds… as information empowers others. I would like to print the look in my childrens eyes each time I tell them this terrible illness has come back. Maybe just maybe it would help, So thank you and all the others that in some way will make a real differance in other peoples lives.

Henrietta can I just say how couragious it is of you to post your story especially when it is such a sensitive matter. Thank you very much for supporting this hugely important campaign,

Henrietta
Please accept my sincere thoughts and sympathy over your recent bereavement..It must be a very difficult time for you and I would like you to know how brave I feel you and your family are to share your views and thoughts. I’m sure your mum would be proud of you. I had cancer but have been one of the lucky ones. I share your view that what ever needs to be done to help and protect children from being attracted to smoking and become addicted must be a step in the right direction.If plain packaging saves just one person from the suffering that cancer can bring it has to be the way forward. Take care. ECB

I’d like to say I’m shocked by the comments of Ivan D. Unfortunately I’m not. While the vast majority of people who use these forums are genuine people with something to say, there are the Ivan’s. They feed on the grief of others and crave the angry response to their post. Replying or responding directly just feeds their perverted pleasure. If they are ignored they will craw away back under the rock they slithered from.

Henrietta, you are a truly inspirational and brave lady to share your story with us. Look at the likes and number of tweets your story has produce. Take strength from that support and the knowledge that you are amongst friends. Thank you for sharing your story. Your description of your lovely mum, is one I recognise in the addicted smokers I know and love. You story illustrates better than I ever could exactly why this is a campaign we must win. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing your story Henrietta. Many years ago I lost my Grandparents to cancer caused by heavy smoking and it devastated our lives. I’ve since took part every year in the race for life in their memory and raise awareness and much needed funds for CRUK whenever I can. I do hope we can stop young people smoking in the first place by spreading our message far and wide. God bless you and your family. xx

Well done Henrietta for sharing your story. It will help people to understand the dangers of smoking. Let’s hope we can stop young people smoking in the first place.

Ivan

My mother was a victim. I cannot think of a better way to honour my mum’s memory than in support of any campaign to lessen the marketing might of this horrible industry. Smoking is no different than any other basic drug addiction, other than that it is ( owing to a gross historical error) a legal one.

My mother would neither see you as supportive nor respectful, nor hold dear your kind of values.

She was very much loved and respected, as has been shown by all the posts I have chosen to write on the subject, including this one.

I hope that are able to focus your time and obvious passion to further a more dignified and worthy cause in future.

Henri

@Tim Thank you for your kindness.
@ Jules, respect for the dead who cannot answer for themselves nor choose whether or not they wish to be used as political tools by people like Paul. I am not intentionally vitriolic but I do find this kind of blog post saddening. I can’t imagine why someone would want to portray their dead mum in such a negative way. No doubt I should be silenced along with all those who are concerned that this crusade is going a bit too far and possibly doing too much damage to values we hold dear.

Ivan D – what drives a person to leave such a repugnant comment? I suggest you give yourself a good talking to and vent your vitriol by others means.

i think you should take up smoking Ivan. Then perhaps you might die quicker.

It is odd that you are so proud of contributing to the oppression that made your mother so ashamed. Without the constant harassment of you and your kind she would probably have been a lot happier. I hope my family will not abuse my memory by using it to further their own self-righteous causes. I don’t smoke but your kind will have found something else by then.

Yes I think it is about time now that cigarettes should now be sold behind the counters in all shops & supermarkets, My own grandfather died of lung cancer ( through smoking) when he was only 57 years of age back in 1963 when I was 3 years old & my brother was about 9 months old.