I just could not explain why at the age of 14 years old, I experienced so many different things. Most of them are first time encounter. In my previous posts, I mentioned that I was involved in an organization, mixing with the "elite" company ..... 

It was during the time that I learned and started to smoke. I remembered clearly where I first lit the cigarette. During a casual gathering in the afternoon, we were loitering around the void deck in Yishun. Coincidentally, we met up with other members of the organization stationed in other area. They started to smoke. As a gesture of goodwill, they offered me one stick of cigarette too. I refused and said that I don't know how to smoke. They laughed at me and said "A real man must know how to smoke in order to socialize" After a while of persuasion, I gave in. As I gave in hoping for a recognition from the members, I embarrassed myself to the max. When I inhaled the first puff, I choked and coughed as if I was drowned. At this point of time, these members begun to encourage me and teaching me the technique how to smoke.

Photo taken from http://cigarettememoirs.blogspot.com The bottom right is the Six sticks packing.

From that time onwards, I was hooked heavily into smoking. At that time, cigarettes were quite cheap, selling at about 12 cents per stick. Marlboro cigarettes also were available in pack of ten (now, its is sold in pack of 20s). Dunhill and Virginia Slim were available in a pack of 6s. As I was working regularly, I had the financial means to purchase the cigarette. Also, there was no "age-limit" to buy cigarettes.

Smoking gave me a floating high feeling. Every time when I got stressed up, cigarettes were my best of friends. I will need to smoke after every meal. (饭后一根烟, 快乐是神仙). I smoked even more when we were la-ing kopi with a group of friends. We were chain-smoking We can smoke up to 20+ sticks of cigarette in a casual chit chatting lasting about 2-3 hours.

Photo taken from http://arabiannightsblog.in

Smoking also got tricks. We can perform different kinds of tricks from the smoke we puffed out. Some common tricks were "puffing circular smoke", "water-fall", "extruding smoke from ear" and extinguishing it cigarette in our mouth.

I was very cautious when I brought cigarette to school. I will hide the cigarettes in the toilet, WC,  window panels etc... I was never caught in school related to smoking. I guess this taught me to be meticulous in planning and observation bah. Back at home, my parents never knew I smoked. Before I go home, I will definitely wash my hands with nice fragrance soap and I will also eat lots of mints to cover the smell.

My reflection: Smoking is really an expensive bad habit. Once you start, you are hooked. Smoking was also used as a smoke screen to tell people I am cool, I am suave, I am strong. These are all BULLSHITS! Counting back, if I saved up all the money used to purchase these cigarettes, I will have at least S$100,000 in my bank after 17 years before interest. Who says I can't save? Just that I save at the wrong place. 


More interesting stories are coming. Stay tuned!


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