I found this rather fascinating. Apparently, the United States Surgeon General, Richard Carmona, has discovered that second-hand smoke, indeed, is hazardous to the health of others. I thought this was fairly well-known information.

Evidently, we need the highest-ranking doctor in the country to tell us what seems so obvious. I'm glad we have a surgeon general, or we may not ever know about important things like second-hand smoke. Here, take a look ...

"Exposure to secondhand smoke remains an alarming public health hazard," Carmona said. "Nonsmokers need protection through the restriction of smoking in public places and workplaces" - and by smokers voluntarily not puffing around children.

I am glad that he realized that this filthy, addictive habit is actually so bad that it adversely affects others that are not smoking. So, now we can expect more states and local municipalities to completely ban smoking in all public places.

I will soon be participating in the fifth annual Great Nassau West Smoke-Out of 2006, where hopefully, I will be able to rid myself of one of the dumbest mistakes I have ever made. The Smoke-Out is on Sunday, July 16, 2006.