WHAT A GREAT INVENTION

The Suicide machine. Which reminds me of a friend. Who quit smoking after 15 years. When he quit, he was 24.

I knew another 9-year old who smoked. I think he quit, too. At least he's still alive.

I'm not sure why smoking looks good. But it does. Or Hollywood wouldn't show so much of it. Sharing a cigarette with a woman, even a drag off hers, is kind of a declaration. For more sharing.

When we had 3 of our grandkids in Coronado for less than a week this Summer, it took a little effort to get our 7-year old to take a long walk on the beach and then uptown for some morning browsing. We, being grandparents, resorted to the bribe one day. Offering him a chance to go buy some candy from an old-fashioned candy store.

Outlawed in their home state, packages of candy cigarettes were available in the California store. Which is what he bought. A mandatory picture followed. No Facebook appearance yet for him with the bubblegum ciggy. At least not yet.

I sympathize with smokers. Those who don't want to quit and those who do. But for the lady in the picture--forget about it. No one's nicotine habit is that bad. Unless.

Unless those are candy cigarettes and she has a sweet tooth.