Although I've never smoked, I would say my lungs have taken a hammering over the years from second-hand smoke in various venues. Thank goodness for 'no smoking' by-laws being introduced in many jurisdictions.

The tobacco companies are seriously worried about this trend. I saw a story in the paper this week about how cigarette manufacturers have, over the course of the last few years, increased the amount of nicotine by as much as 20% in their deadly products, especially in those brands that are targetted towards the younger generation. The sole intention being that of installing the addiction in young people to guarantee the companies' future profits. How despicable.

Further to this, tobacco companies have greatly increased their advertising budgets in third world countries, ergo less-educated about the perils of nicotine addiction, in order to carry on their dirty business.

Of course, the biggest addicts in all of this are governments, hooked on tax revenues from tobacco sales. A pox on all their houses.