Living Proof of Smoking’s Evils

On March 14, 1998, HOWARD I. SINGER, a cancer survivor and anti-smoking advocate, spoke about his daily ordeal after surgery and his ongoing efforts to educate on the effects of smoking. After his interview appeared, he was inundated with requests from schools and civic groups to speak. MAURA E. MONTELLANO spoke with him.

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I smoked for almost 40 years before I discovered I had cancer in my mouth. Eventually, because of the cancer, I had two major surgeries to remove my tongue, my lower left jaw and my teeth. Because of this, I have no sense of smell and almost no sense of taste. I must blend my food in order to eat and have difficulty speaking. All of this because I chose to smoke. Back then, no one knew that smoking was bad for you. Today, there is no excuse.

As long as I am around, I will do my part to educate people about the dangers of smoking. The past nine months, I have been going to schools to talk to kids and show them what can happen. I talk straight to them and show them my face. I can’t do much more than to be a living example.

I have had very positive feedback from the kids and the administrators, thanking me for my help. Many were shocked at my appearance right off. The thing is that I don’t just talk, I am proof, I am there for them to see that this a serious problem. Smoking is the most detrimental thing anyone can do to himself.

We talk of laws to eliminate guns, yet smoking kills more people than guns ever will. I voted for Proposition 10 because it will make it harder for kids to afford cigarettes. I can’t believe the ads that make smoking look like fun. This is not right. It is not fun when you have no teeth to chew with or when you can’t speak well because you had most of your tongue taken out. This is what I hope the kids I speak with remember most.

I am grateful to still be around considering that I lost so many loved ones to diseases from smoking. I will be 81 next month, and I plan to keep doing all I can to help educate people, help them stop smoking or keep them from ever starting. It is too late for me but others can be helped.