There are many reasons for me to quit smoking, but the Palestinian cause is a strong addition. I cannot support Palestine effectively if I am dead. To continue smoking as such is to hurry along the end of that condition. So I will not lite up 20 times a day anymore.
Also, smoking a pack a day had become part of my identity. In the same way, many of those who were pushed to support the US backed governing body of the land between the Jordon river and the Mediterranean sea, have let ethno-nationalism become part of their identity. Many of them are letting that part of their identity go. I will let the pack smoker in me go in solidarity with everyone who used to support oppression but now knows how wrong that was. Pack a day smokers are a class of people. I have decided to exit that class.
My support for Palestine gives me strength. Standing with Falestine means trying to survive. That means trying to be healthy. Falestine has given me a boost to quitting smoking. I'd have some trouble supporting if I am not alive.
I quit smoking at 23 when I realized I had trouble getting up stairs because it took the air out of me. It was even harder to do than quitting drinking and cocaine at the time. But it was so worth it. It sucks and it will be hard but I have seen multiple people close to me battling lung cancer and such and that is even harder, so 🤷