First cigarette I tried was when I was 7. It had no filter.

Cuban cigarettes came in a huge cylindrical package. About 200 of them. Each of us kids lit one up and coughed for the next 15 minutes. Trying to look serious the entire time.

The next day everybody was addicted: For life. “I don’t want any. I smoked a few at home already before I came here.”

To this day I can’t stand the smell of cigarettes.