It is exactly this kind of response from people
who may have an story about a "kind smoker" that
I am talking about. There is nothing positive
about smoking. Clearly this woman could not stop
despite all of her cardiac problems. I am not
saying that people who smoke are not kind or
otherwise. Just because she was kind to you does
not mean her second-hand smoke did not cause
health problems for other people.
My mother smoked 2 packs a day for 20 years, but
had the discipline to quit. I applaud her. I made
no reference to someone's character except that
they were not strong enough to overcome their
addiction. Just like food addiction where people
can't stop eating, smokers (nicotine addicts)
can't stop smoking.
So, Dr. Kittay only enhances my point of how much
money was spent treating this woman's heart
disease while she continued to smoke against
medical advice. It is also likely that Dr.
Kittay has lost some of his sense of smell
because most people can always smell cigarette
smoke. I also doubt that Dr. Kittay is aware of
the damages of third hand smoke? So, as far as
his example is concerned if that woman came into
my office I would not have operated on her If she
needed elective surgery but that would not imply
any ill feelings towards her.
In fact, when I have explained why I won't
operate on smokers and council them they often
quit smoking and thank me for helping them do so.
I certainly would treat smokers non surgically
and council them as best I could but I certainly
have had patients who could not stop that wanted
bunion surgery and they never returned. I am fine
with their decision.
Peter Bregman, DPM, Las Vegas, NV,
drbregman@gmail.com
