The Poignant Puff...

Published by FlotsaM under on 10:29 PM
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Thanks to Anbumani Ramadoss, october2 would be remembered for a reason more than just the birthdate of Mahatma Gandhi. This day witnessed the smoking ban being carried out with aplomb in almost every part of the state. But somehow, this ban has exposed the creepy truth about the indispensable contribution of the smoking community to the Indian economy.Had that not been the case, why dont we see a complete smoking ban. What has come out from the stables of Ramadoss and his supporters are a half-baked set of rules, that can be moulded and mildewed. The intention of writing this blog is not to figure out the apparently glaring loopholes of the ban, or vent out the frustation of all the smokers who are still trying to come out of the stupor created by the ban.
There is certainly some amount of magic captured in the stick, and the poignant puff. For, it has equal number of takers as it has haters. The non-smokers term it as addiction, and we donot have any problem with the tag as far as it serves its purpose. Be it joy, grief, frustation, nervousness or just idleness it acts as a virtual spectator to life's every emotion. For all those individuals who are at sea, deciding over whether to take up smoking or not, let me tell you that it is less vicious than all the typical addictions a common man can get a hand to, the other two being drugs and love. Why is that the best and most private disussions take place more in the smoking zones, than on the floors. Why is that you share a certain degree of trust and loyalty with whom you are sharing your stick. Why the word "Adda" seems so hollow without the cig and a cup of tea. A glass of beer or a delectable meal seems so tasteless without a couple of fags. There is more than just a puff of smoke going into your lungs and coming out. A simple act of sharing a cigarette( or "counter" as we say) has so many unsaid bonds woven in it. When a Kingsize or Classic gets lit up, the college life flashes past our eyes, where a small goldflake was always shared by 2-3 people. How can such an insignificant and a poignant stick be a testimony to such a beautiful phase of our life!
The smoking community harbours a variety of followers. Donning the moguls' cap are the 'Chain-smokers', who breathe more smoke in a day than air. Then comes the regular smokers who appreciate smoking, but not to a level of labelling it as the greatest necessity of life. Finally, we have the reprehensible batch of "Occassional smokers", who bring nothing but shame to the community. With their fluctuating scruples deciding their inclinitaion or apathy for the smoke, their fidelity is always put under the scanner.
My sincere condolences for all the passive smokers of the world. The ugliest but truest analogy of such a situation would be of a person conracting an STD without ever getting an opportunity to consummate. But with terrorism and economic slowdown stealing the limelight, they can divert their concern, rather than being dysphoric over a feeble puff of smoke from a passer-by.

The topic of smoking health hazards and the reasons for implementing the ban is redundant. Somehow, the secret unexplained joys derived from a fag seem to outweigh the fact that it takes away 3 seconds of your life.
So, as Sanjay Dutt puts it in 'Kaante' : "Collar ko thoda sa upar chadhakey, Cigarette ke dhuey ka chhalla udhakey"; lets not think too much about the side effects of the ban, for the smoke will find its own way into the lungs of its followers.

21 comments:

Dio said... @ December 1, 2008 at 12:02 AM

The ban hardly seems to have an effect outside the pubs, which are bound to be hit hard by the ban, coz the pleasure of alcohol less than halves without the 'Poignant Puff'; Been tight-rope walking along the line dividing regular smokers and chain-smokers for a long time now, and I think it is business as usual for ITC and its magic wands... Great job, dude! Chal ek peeke aate hain... :P

Unknown said... @ December 1, 2008 at 12:16 AM

I do not know whether 3 seconds of my life are worth a fag, or not. I also do not know if only smoking can 'exclusively' induce such emotions and bonds, as you talk about. Whatever magic is there in that stick, I am blissful in my ignorance. I do know, however, that the ban is as unfair as it is idiotic. Also, would request you to show a bit more sympathy for the passive smokers. Or do you think it's right for drunken drivers to ride their cars over the sober by-stander?

Dutta said... @ December 1, 2008 at 2:46 AM

I would agree that a drink is incomplete without a fag.. I am not a smoker but the only time I have smoked was when I was drunk and it is really a kick. That apart despite being surrounded by smokers all around me I have never felt the inclination for the stick.. and interestingly I have never bought a cigg myself if I am in my senses. By the way try Grass it is better than plain fags :P

I don't abhor smoking, simply my body doesn't allow. It is fortunate or unfortunate I don't know. But I think for the people who avoid smoking for health reasons the Ban is good 'if implemented'. Because People might have right to commit suicide but not certainly homicide.

FlotsaM said... @ December 1, 2008 at 3:41 AM

Dio: I know I would get atleast one person to support me :P

Sur: I certainly agree with what you said. Smoking doesnt exclusively induce emotions. Emotions induce us to to smoke :)

Som: Hope my harsh take on "occassional smokers" has not dissappointed you.

sandy said... @ December 1, 2008 at 3:50 AM

i dont completely accept with your post...
i can accept the fact tht the best discussions can happen in a smokin zone..the bonds get stronger...etc..etc...but there are many other ways where you can share your joy,sorrow...watever..by jus sharing the feelings with frens..

there are people who think the delectable meal seems so tasteless aftr havin couple of fags n thr are ppl who think the othr way...it mainly depends on the person...

and abt occasional smokers...these are the guys who dont feel all this stuff u hav written happens by havin a fag.they smoke jus because the situation demands them to do so.
Overall to divert the concerns related to terrorism,economic slowdown...
the most healthy method i can suggest is do YOGA and MEDDITATION... :P
this would help you stay cool,stay calm and mainly stay HEALTHY.... :P

Unknown said... @ December 1, 2008 at 5:50 AM

Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya..
Main "ban" ko dhuen mein udata chala gaya..

Well written ..although, i agree with sandy and advise u to quit :)

What's In A Name ? said... @ December 1, 2008 at 9:08 AM

Bloody Smokers!!! Gets on my nerves when they direct those noxious fumes at me...... :x

FlotsaM said... @ December 2, 2008 at 12:09 AM

sandy: wowowo...Thanks for your suggestions. I wud try to practise and preach the same.

Manojit: You are close enough NOT to give such a suggestion :P

Whats in a name: Cant help, u being one in the crowd.

Ani said... @ December 2, 2008 at 12:46 AM

Dont worry GRC, you have two guys in your support now. I completely agree with all thats written here... couldnt have been explained in a better way.

3 cheers for sutta...
puff !! puff !! puff !! ;)

Ani said... @ December 2, 2008 at 12:51 AM

We dont force others to SMOKE... so others shouldn't force us NOT TO SMOKE. I guess thats fair enough.

And if you think smoking kills, does quitting smoking ensure me immortality !?!

Megha Gupta said... @ December 3, 2008 at 1:47 AM

Kudos to ur dedication! kar lo bhai kar lo.

Chits said... @ December 4, 2008 at 3:34 AM

It will be better if a non smoker doesn't write here. The last few lines forced me to think how many hours of life am I going to loose before leaving Hyderabad.

FlotsaM said... @ December 4, 2008 at 4:09 AM

Ani: Cheers to our fag! missing the late nite fags with you buddy.

Megha: :)

Chittu: Ur life is anyways a waste. No point living for 40 yrs or 100 yrs!

Dutta said... @ December 6, 2008 at 12:42 PM

Nope no way offended by your take on Occasional smokers... and by the way as I said.. I smoked only when I was not in my senses ... By the way smoke Pot... it will induce deeper emotions and help you escape things even better than YOGA :P

@Ani: Well friend no body forces anybody to smoke so smokers shouldn't be forced to quit, fair enough.. but just don't smoke in front of non-smokers, as I said earlier .. no one has the right to commit 'Homicide' ...

Mamba said... @ December 8, 2008 at 3:17 AM

hi friends... i am non smoker and that by choice :).. for last six years i am hanging out with chainsmokers... writting anything here is bullshitbut but i wanna add somthing to boost my nonsmoker friend who have posted thier valuable cooments... the main aim of wrtter here is to befool reader by using ornamental language and crappy bollywood's shots... he is showing himself intelectual as he is adding value to country economy... but for that i have god suggestion... inspite of giving money to ITC, y dont you directly donate it to country funds.. it will give you tax benifit as well as will keep your surrounding clean..... newas i am not goin to interfere in any1 personal life but i will expect da same .. if u wanna smoke ,, smoke like hell but the place should be airtight and keep in mind you r not forcing other to inhale your shits..

"Smoke, smoke, smoke that cigarette
Puff, puff, puff until you smoke yourself to death.
Tell St. Peter at the Golden Gate
That you hate to make him wait,
But you just gotta have another cigarette."
The law/ban are made to protect citizens.... like against robbery, murder theft rape etc... though manu people get satisfied after committing the above.. it doesnt mean that for there shake we allow robery murder rape.... or ban them at public place but free to at private places.... The rationale for smoke-free laws is to protect people from the effects of second-hand smoke, which

include an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, emphysema and other diseases. It's really easy for someone who smokes to say "Its my life, and let me smoke it if I want to". But you are affecting so many people around you when you smoke. where is your inner consience. smokers are loosers .. they dont have anything to defend themself so they invent reasons to do the same... like gettin rid of mental preassure.. wannna extra boost while drinking.... but this is not the truth.. if your r realy a human and not enuche than dare to quit unnessecary habit.... anmd if you think it is good than let your parents and wellwisher kno about this so that they will be well prepared for thye consequences and accumulate money for your treatment... trust me i dont care.. people smoke or drink..but i care the problem faced by other... they njoy at the cost of other fun...sympathy shown to the nonsmoker by writter shows his mental weekness.. on paper i can win world and will becom the king of every provinces.. but i believe in reality...

my thoughts(bond movie title)...
"Live and let live"
If people want to kill themselves let them! The reason we have so much mental illness is because we are constantly stopping people from committing suicide so they can breed another generation of mentally ill brats. Let people weed themselves out, take away safety regulations on cigarettes, make suicide legal and don't require helmets for motorcycles and soon you will weed out all of the morons and life will be good again.

please see the pic in the foolowing link:-
"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4B6BR9aWHAk/SSLLJtNyxKI/AAAAAAAABlI/zlOLLRhvi7A/s1600-h/Anti_Smoking_Ads_16.jpg"

FlotsaM said... @ December 8, 2008 at 3:34 AM

Mamba: On behalf of everyone directly or indirectly associated with smoking, i want to give a standing ovation for your post. It was practical,logical, and at the same time humorous(unintended though). The more you write, the more we feel that that blogging world is bereft of such a wonderful blogger. So start blogging!

Mamba said... @ December 8, 2008 at 3:44 AM

@flotsam: I dont believe in blogging... m not psuedo intelectual niether pretend to be intelectual.. but few post force me to deliver for interest of comman people...!!

Unknown said... @ December 8, 2008 at 3:44 AM

i totally agree with mamba.. everybody knows the long term effects of smoking..in case u dont know....then read this.....http://www.quit-smoking-stop.com/harmful-smoking-effects.html...well after this ur mind does not change..which i know in 100%probability wont change......well,noboby is forcing u to change...it is only a sincere ,honest suggestion.....after all,u are responsible for whatever happens to u...and by the way,isn,t it quite strange that people are spending money so that their bodies get damaged faster..which otherwise will indeed do in the old age...

Unknown said... @ December 8, 2008 at 5:58 AM

@flotsam: I dont believe in blogging... m not psuedo intelectual niether pretend to be intelectual.. but few post force me to deliver for interest of comman people...!!

What's In A Name ? said... @ December 10, 2008 at 12:27 AM

@ mamba - hard-hitting reply on behalf of the "unsuspecting non-smoking community" ( which includes me too) and congrats for that!!!

I second all your thoughts.

p.s 1 - The Bond flick was " Live and Let Die" which makes much sense in this context.

p.s 2 - Bloggers are not all pseudo-intellectuals. Its just a platform like so many others like ,say, your morning assembly speech at school or the "share your opinion" forum with friends.

ritz said... @ April 2, 2009 at 2:16 AM

hey i support ramadoss for obvious reason but the ambuigity regardin its implementation is cozin "smoke to find way into its followers"

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