My parents both smoked. I graduated high school in 1975. I never took it up, in part because I was nerdishly unaffected by peer pressure from the cool kids, in part because it just never interested me, in part because I knew that it would kill me.

There were lots of PSAs in that era about the dangers of smoking, so I think it was also partly a rebellion on my part, against "those stupid adults."

I've been very up front and unrelenting with my kid about smoking and other hazards. I think I've been successful so far. It helps that not that many kids smoke, so I think there's less peer pressure.

I think it'll take another generation or two before it's all but unseen.

I too am amazed that anyone takes up smoking. I see younger coworkers in their twenties out taking a smoke break, and I can't believe how such smart and gifted people can be so idiotic.

Not that I have it all together, I just don't smoke. Lots of other things I could improve on.