DEAR ABBY: Last year, my husband, “Steve,” was scheduled for bypass surgery. He told everyone – all our friends and relatives – that he planned to stop smoking afterward. It has now been nine months, and as recently as last week Steve and I were discussing his amazing willpower with friends.

Several times over the past few weeks, I had remarked to my husband that his clothes smelled of smoke. He said, “I don’t know why they would.” I have also told Steve I was concerned because he has developed a deep, productive cough and urged him to see his doctor about it. Last night he became angry with me and told me I am always “borrowing trouble.”

This morning I moved his bathrobe and found a pack of cigarettes in the pocket. I’m a retired nurse. I know how dangerous the game he’s playing is. It’s as if he doesn’t care.

Not only do I not want to lose my husband, our finances are very stressed right now. Steve says this is none of my business. How can I make him see what a dangerous game he’s playing? Or do I just shut up and start planning his funeral? – HURT AND DISGUSTED, WOODBURY, TENN.

DEAR HURT AND DISGUSTED: Face it, your husband is addicted to nicotine. You can order printed materials from the Heart Association, the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society about the dangers of smoking, but unless he is willing to give up tobacco, nothing will get through to him.

By all means start planning his funeral. By starting now you will have a better chance of managing the costs. In addition, talk to your insurance agent about increasing his life insurance, if that’s possible. It might also be a good idea to explore part-time employment opportunities, should the need arise.

Believe me, you have my sympathy. If one life-threatening health scare wasn’t enough to convince your husband to quit smoking, then nothing will.



DEAR ABBY: Our mother was killed in a car accident two years ago. A woman I’ll call “Tiffany” was driving at a high rate of speed and ran a stop sign. To this day, our family has yet to hear one word of regret from her, and we are finding it hard not to hate her.

My mother died a horrible and painful death. Tiffany destroyed many lives with her “mistake,” yet she walked away from the wreck physically, mentally and financially untouched. We understand the meaning of the word “accident.” We know she didn’t mean to kill our mother, but an apology would have been nice. Even after two years of counseling we are still bitter and need to hear Tiffany say she is sorry. Have you any advice for us? – STILL GRIEVING IN AMARILLO

DEAR STILL GRIEVING: Please accept my deepest sympathy for the tragedy that befell your family. Under the circumstances, your feelings are understandable, and it may take still more counseling for you to work through what happened and achieve acceptance. Please do not think that the driver of that car is insensitive to your pain and grief. It is likely that she has not contacted you because she was strongly advised against it by legal counsel.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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