It appears that the decision of Christopher Hitchens (my favorite contrarian) to quit smoking originated here in Madison, Wisconsin:

In an interview with the Financial Times published last week, Hitchens casually announced he\’d quit smoking: \”I got up yesterday morning in Madison, Wisconsin, and I just threw my pack away,\” he said. New leaf for the new year? Turns out the interview took place last fall; he actually kicked the habit in October and has been smoke-free for three months.

How? \”Fear,\” he told us. \”I had smoked enough in my life.\”

Actually, we find out from his wife what his real reason was:

Why? \”He wants to live,\” said his wife, Carol Blue. \”Live to see his political enemies defeated.\”

THAT I can appreciate.