Human Parts

A home for personal storytelling.

Member-only story

The Truth Behind a Cigarette Addiction

10 min readMay 8, 2024

--

I didn't enjoy smoking cigarettes at first. I expected them to taste good, like inhaling chocolate cake from a small stick. Instead I just got a mouthful of bad-tasting chemicals. Despite this poor start, over time I eventually found a brand of cigarettes that I enjoyed. Benson and Hedges Superkings.

These long narrow cigarettes — Superkings — suited me much better than the short stumpy ones; the flavour was more palatable and the nicotine hit was perfect. Once I’d found Bensons I was set for a good six years of dedicated smoking.

My smoking era came with many consequences; my bank balance took a minimum £40+ ($70) a week hit, I was constantly coughing up phlegm, all my clothes stank of tobacco and my gut health was at an all-time low. The cherry on the cake was that I was increasing my risk of mortality from all causes with every smoke I had.

Despite all of this, I kept coming back for more. For a good six years I couldn’t be seen without a tobacco-stuffed cylinder drooping out my mouth. And ever since I gave up three years ago, not a week goes by that I don’t consider reacquainting myself with this cancerous habit.

So, why?

--

--

Human Parts
Human Parts
Antony Pinol
Antony Pinol

Written by Antony Pinol

34 years old. Living in Carlisle, England. Carer, writer, Christian, Graduate in Philosophy and English Literature, PGCE in Counselling Skills.

Responses (6)