Mark K,
My mom died of cancer at the age of 57. It was bladder cancer and she claims it wasn't caused by smoking, but she smoked almost 3 packs a day her whole adult life. Sure, her lungs and heart held out, but she had a heart attack 4 years earlier. Smoking kills, and its not always through the lungs.
Anyone under the age of 40 that smokes is pretty much an idiot in my book. We've known for at least that long that smoking kills. Anyone that smokes that is over that age should seriously consider quitting and not rationalize with that old "the damage is already done" argument.
Hey, it's their life, right? But then again, most have loved ones that want them around for as long as possible.
Sorry about your mom. I truly am.
TJR