Jump to full article: Kalona (IA) News, 2009-08-27
Author: Dan Ehl
Intro: "The public health authorities never mention the main reason many Americans have for smoking heavily, which is that smoking is a fairly sure, fairly honorable form of suicide."
Kurt Vonnegut
Today's generation might have a difficult time understanding how pervasive cigarette smoking once was. I can remember school board and city council meetings during the 1960s and '70s when ashtrays littered the meeting rooms. . . .
As one gets older and closer to that great abyss, the prospect of debilitating diseases becomes more real. This is what motivated my most recent cessation. Coincidently at this time, I was approached at the Johnson County Fair by two young women working for the University of Iowa Hospitals on a national clinical research study. . . .
Participants are given a chest x-ray CT scan, breathing tests and questionnaires dealing with their health history. I figured this was a cheap way to get a free physical, plus $75 for taking part in the study. . . .
The University is still looking for volunteers and any past or present smokers 45 or older can call 353-8862 for more information.
My examination results are back and the bright side is that it appears my heart and lungs are normal - so it is a good time to quit when I am ahead.
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