If once upon a time I was considered a discerning smoker, it was not without reason. While most of the smokers used to stick to one or the other brand, I would keep three or four brands of cigarettes — filter, without filter, kingsize and tobacco flakes to be filled in pipes. I used to reason out that different moods and different times of the day called for different tastes of smoke also. It was similar to someone relishing idlis for breakfast, sambar and curd rice for lunch and chappatis for dinner. Though I did not pick it up as a habit, I tried smoking even at the age of 10. It was beedis first and then a few cigarettes, elephant brand and Passingshow. I remembered asking the shopkeeper where was the filter in Passingshow cigarette and his reply that for just 3 paise there would be no filter. Somehow till school final, I forgot smoking. But before the final exam I, along with a friend, tried smoking and the habit caught on. Financial independence and staying awa