There is a convenience store at the end of a lake which centers and divides a population of 1000 men and women. This is the only store in town. This store, like many others, only sells two different packs of cigarettes: a blue box and red box. Of the constituents who are of legal age and choose to smoke, there is a relatively even distribution of sales between the two. The only “difference” is an ideological preference. The real differences are negligible. What occurs is habitual; people go to the market, purchase cigarettes, and smoke. Like most small towns, pockets of like-minded individuals congregate where gossip reaffirms their identity through the shared attitudes of their peers.

If there is one subject that fires these groups up it’s talking about cigarettes. Everyone has their favorite, quickly defends their dollar votes, and vocally expresses their opinion. Now, one can imagine the level of bickering that arises when people in a small town discuss something as controversial as reds and blues. It really shouldn’t matter what type of cigarette each of them smoke, but when a punch is thrown retaliation often follows. Even though there is no clear, decisive benefit between them, they continue arguing and defending their position.

When the store introduces a similar green pack, the town erupts. Most consider the idea of smoking greens as ludicrous. However, the younger generation, seeing their parents and relatives bicker over reds and blues, is drawn towards smoking greens. Some try reds, others a few blues, but most agree on greens. The reds and the blues now look at all the kids smoking greens and are confused. They ridicule the greens and attempt to coerce them with the illusionary benefits of reds and blues. This – not to anyone’s surprise – motivates the greens further. They embrace the solidarity of being greens.

Unfortunately, the reds and blues have been around forever, since the store was built. The number of reds and blues far outnumber the greens, and continue fighting with each other over trivial differences. Some of the greens stand around and poke at the feuding parties while others join the fight.

What few see is the rudimentary issue is not about blues, reds, or greens; their all cigarettes, and detrimental to the individuals lobbying for them. Everyone is caught up in this war, even the non-smokers have formed an opinion. What’s worse is their indifference and refusal to arbitrate. The state of life grows ever more calloused and inflamed at the heart of their once lovely lakeside town. The anger and contempt resonates through churches, town halls, poker games, and picnics. It lingers on everyone’s mind and tongue. The only way to coexist is to simply continue smoking and avoid the conversation. The issue is left unresolved and festering while the manufacturers take the townspeople’s money and advertise the benefits of smoking.