Abstract
These two poems come from my experience as a qualitative researcher in Nigeria where this method of research is not a very common phenomenon. I was dazed by the vast opportunity this method gives a researcher to dig deep into a research problem and be submerged into the world of participants. Understanding the experiences of young smokers and how they were influenced into picking up the habit was the aim of my study but I got more than what I asked for. These two poems give an insight into the experiences of cigarette smokers and the researcher as captured during the research. Journeys had to be made to get willing participants and when the willing participants were found, it was a worthy ride from cities to suburbs.
From Cities to Suburbs
From cities to suburbs From street corners to bars On the bikes, in the bus Over seas, over rivers In quest to find them Visible yet invisible Visible is the smoke Yet invisible the source There they were . . . Just where I thought they would Rowdy, noisy, exposed . . . Yet they consent to the interaction With a little reservation still They told their story Of how it all started Adding their discontent about Life and government and— the big guys who make all these happen Ban them! Wait . . . It’ll be an expensive contraband Stop the big guys . . . Those who can are not concerned about us Want to hear something new? Hush! . . . girls now smoke there! They are becoming a familiar sight But don’t say I told you so . . . but what is this society turning into? Oh what shall we do to put off the smoke? How can we put off the smoke? It shouldn’t take more lives; “Tell us what is wrong with it . . .” “Tell us how not to start” “Tell them their parties are not simply parties” “Tell us we can decide not to decide to start”
Narratives of Smoking Initiation
Let’s set off on a journey; Finding the source our goal; This smoke must have a source! We must quench it at its source! How do we get to the source? How can we know the source? I saw my dad lit it up; I saw my brother too And he was depressed so he lit more I was there when he bought it They just offered me one stick And I didn’t want to be a “jew” guy Oh! I loved the aroma I loved the advert too Oh! It tops up all my achievements! I love it but I don’t love it They think we are “bad” guys They don’t get it that . . . you are not in control when hooked! We need help to get out . . .
Coda
It was a hard task gaining the confidence of participants for the interviews to take place but once this had been done, they seemed to utilize the opportunity to reflect more deeply on how they started smoking. Many had the desire to smoke just by talking about their experiences and how they started smoking cigarettes. Some resolved to fight harder to give up the habit though quitting was not a focus of the research. It was a surprise how narratives can help to bring resolve and strengthen the will power to make another attempt at quitting. My reflective journal captured their moods; what my voice recorder could not capture completely.
It was not possible to get females to participate in the research though some smokers attested to having seen females smoke. I never came across any female smoker throughout the period of the fieldwork, so it seems it is still a hidden thing among females in Nigeria.
Footnotes
Declaration of Conflict of Interest
The author declares no potential conflicts of interests with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.
Funding
The author acknowledges the receipt of a grant from the University of KwaZulu-Natal research office which partly funded this study.