Michael G., MA

Hello! My name is Michael, I’m 64 years old, and I live in Massachusetts. I’m also asthmatic. Here’s my backstory:

Both of my parents were smokers. My mom quit after she was diagnosed with asthma, and my dad quit because he no longer wanted to smoke. I was a non-smoker until my senior year of high school, when I started smoking because the bullies at school were kinder to me once they found out. It’s a sad reason to start, but at the time, it helped me avoid their bullying. I didn’t inhale at first because the smoke made me cough, but eventually, I settled on "Light" cigarettes from a popular brand. This was in 1977.

As a church cantor, my career began to suffer—I couldn’t hold out a phrase, I coughed constantly while singing, and yet, during sermons, I would sneak into the chapel restroom, open the window, and light up. Addiction can make you do some crazy things.

At the end of 1999, I decided to quit for good. On January 1st, 2000, I crushed my last pack of cigarettes and threw them away. Just two days later, my beloved grandmother passed away. Even though I was grieving, I didn’t turn back to smoking. I was determined to stay smoke-free in her memory. That same weekend, I did a massive cleaning—washing windows, curtains, clothes, and everything else. The wash water was so black, it was shocking. That was all going into my lungs and my cats’ lungs!

It’s been 25 years since my last cigarette, and I couldn’t be happier. My singing has improved significantly—my phrasing is better, and I’m able to sing without coughing. I was later diagnosed with asthma, but I consider myself lucky. My first chest scan was perfect!

I’m so relieved that smoking is banned in public places now. At up to $15 a pack, it’s easy to say, "No, thank you!" My car, house, clothes, and breath no longer reek of smoke. I do my best to help others who struggle with asthma and encourage them to live a productive life with the proper medical care.

I also want to thank my doctors for providing me with helpful pamphlets from the American Lung Association on quitting smoking. I still have some of them—thank you!