Excerpt 1 Do you remember all those years when scientists argued that smoking would kill us but the doubters insisted that we didnt know for sure.That the evidence was inconclusive , the science uncertain? That the antismoking lobby was out to destroy our way of life and the government should stay out of the way? Lots of Americans bought that nonsense, and over three decades, some 10 million smokers went to early graves. Excerpt 2 If you smoke and you still dont believe that theres a definite between smoking and bronchial troubles, heart disease and lung cancer, then you are certainly deceiving yourself.No one will accuse you of hypocrisy.Let us just say that you are suffering from a bad case of wishful thinking.This neednt make you too uncomfortable because you are in good company.Whenever the subject of smoking and health is raised, the governments of most countries hear no evil, see no evil and smell no evil.Admittedly, a few governments have taken timid measures.In Britain, for example, cigarette advertising has been banned on television.The conscience of the nation is appeased, while the population continues to puff its way to smoky, cancerous death. You dont have to look very far to find out why the official reactions to medical findings have been so lukewarm.The answer is simply money.Tobacco is a wonderful commodity to tax.Its almost like a tax on our daily bread.In tax revenue alone, the government of Britain collects enough from smokers to pay for its entire educational facilities.So while the authorities point out ever so discreetly that smoking may, conceivably, be harmful,it doesnt do to shout too loudly about it. Excerpt 3 The 74-page study says that pop music, as a global industry, is by far the most influential trend-setter for young people of most cultures.'Some lyrics advocate the smoking of marijuana (大麻) or taking other drugs, and certain pop stars make statements and set examples as if the use of drugs for non-medicinal purposes were a normal and acceptable part of a persons lifestyle, ' the study says. Excerpt 4 I recall how annoying it was years ago when smoking everywhere was legal in California.Many complained about the restrictions when they arrived, but I didnt, because I seriously hated watching shoppers smoking through the tomatoes and lettuce in the vegetable section of the store. People forget how sickening that used to be, especially with the butts all over the grocery store floor.Tossing a burning smoke on the ground, stomping it with your foot, and leaving it to be swept up by somebody else later was somehow OK. Excerpt 5 Mark Twain once observed that giving up smoking is easy.He knew, because hed done it hundreds of times himself.Giving up for ever is a trifle more difficult, apparently, and it is well known that it is much more difficult for some people than for others.Why is this so? Few doctors believe any longer that it is simply a question of will power.And for those people that continue to view addicts as merely 'weak', recent genetic research may force a rethink. An argument made by supporters of smoking was that______.