Smoking and Childhood

Mar 2, 2018

—

The closest I had ever come to smoking was when I was 6years old when my neighborhood friend introduced me to the dried branch of “turai” (torai, gourd). It has perforations that allow to be lighted and smoked. Did smoke that for a few days. Got caught, and somehow my mother logically convinced me to never go near to it again.

My both “mamoos” (maternal uncle) were major in army and both were chain smokers in 19760s-70s. Rauf Mamoo was chain smoker of King Stork. He used to light the next cigarette from the previous. My duty was to keep replenishing his supply when he used to come n stay with us for a couple of days on his way back from training exercises in the North. In Islamabad of 1968-69 getting King Stork was difficult. I had to cycle miles to get it from Aabpara if it was not available on the corner store. It was hard and tedious especially when he would run out of supply at odd times.

I have a vague memory of taking a puff of the leftover part, and thoroughly disliking it and never ever trying again the rest of my life, despite peer pressure from cousins n friends. ☺

My mother was an ultimate self learned child psychologist. As I recollect, here are the few things she did that discouraged us not to delve into smoking.

1. Didn’t scream, or got angry when she caught me.
2. Didn’t make fun or gave physical punishment.
3. Tried to find time when we were willing to listen then gently discussed examples of people around us who never smoked and never found a need to smoke.
4. Tried to explain the issues or problems that led the people around us to become smokers. Specific examples and stories that evoked sympathetic understanding.
5. Tried to explain to us why people smoke: peer pressure, need to be accepted as grownup, need to be recognized as worthy of being considered adult, need for self worth, need for being noticed by elders….

Family – Life

Role Model of Forthrightness, Calm and Resourcefulness: Daud Khaloo

Sardar Mamoo – Reliance and Tawakal on Allah

Smoking and Childhood

Recollection of an Unforgettable Recitation of Majaz’s Nazr-e-Aligarh

Ethical Standards for writing Recommendation Letter: A Deputy Commissioner’s refusal in 1943

Family Tree of Sadat e Nehtaur: A Case Study of Compilation of Social History

Edhi, Old Home and our Bari Bi

Rememberance of the Loved Ones and Life

Remembering East Pakistan: We look before and after, And pine for what is not

Computer Revolution and Moore’s Law: A Personal Journey

Companions of Hajj: Dekh mera Zauq o Shauq (Yearning and Passion)

Pursuit of Excellence vs Guzara: How to teach excellence through everyday examples

Of Achars, Chutneys and Halwas: A Lifestyle Getting Lost Through Branding and Mass Production

Secret of Happiness: One Simple Rule

How Language Acquisition is Made Difficult for Children: Eight Lessons from an Urdu Acquisition Case Study

Of Jungles, Streams, Berries and Wild Pink Flowers: Costs of Commercialization of Islamabad

How to find “Buzurg” and “Wali” of Allah

How to Sprinkle Happiness Around You: Javed Bhai (Dr Zaeem Jafri) – A Jolly Good Fellow

Ansari Sb: Khawjgan e Chisht Ahle Bahisht

Rauf Mamoo – How to Make People Feel Special and Close

Family – Parental Counseling