A (hopefully) mature discussion: Is it really okay to hate smokers?

[chief_ben]

I am pretty much the only smoker in my family (I think my aunt smokes). I will never forget when i came clean to my mum and then 3 months later when i told me dad. My mum was so angry she shouted and screamed then wouldnt talk to me for a week, and dad was even more angry cos he just didn't say anything at all. I now get snide remarks off my parents and my grandparents on a fairly regular basis, and am just numb to it now. So any abuse from people who don't know me is just like water off a ducks back. I can understand why my parents are angry because they worry about my health but the random person in the street can just sod off. In england we are generally sectioned to our own little zones, our own little community, which is fine as at the end of the day its right that people that don't want to smoke shouldn't have to breath in our fumes but what annoys me is when people complain about us smoking in our zones....i mean what more do these people want....we have been removed from public places which is fair enough but to then get annoyed when we are smoking in our designated zones is rediculous.
I know of all the health implications but i am a happy smoker, i find it to be very social, even more now we have our little areas. Most of my friends smoke and those few that don't have no problem with second hand smoke. So to those people that hate smokers or just dislike being around us...well don't come near us. We have our areas, we are happy doing what we are doing, you can spot the smoke trail in the distance.....jus leave us be

 

[Ailia]

I hate the smoke, not the smokers. I have a handful of friends that smoke, and I politely ask them not to smoke around me, worst case just standing downwind.
As for the smoking indoors, I approve of the bans. I don't really want to go to a restaurant and have the smoke soak into my food, thank you.

 

[Garrsus]

i hate them if they smoke
1) too much for no reason.
2) think its cool
3) or if they do it directly AT you.

 

[Dhael]

In regards to the part in your OP where you discuss why people smoke: most of my smoking friends do it because they need it to relieve stress. I have smoked casually (I go through about half a pack a year) and understand this appeal, but consider myself fortunate to so rarely experience stress that there's no reason for me to get addicted.

Just putting this out here: Smoking does not relieve stress at all. The only stress it relieves are the stress you feel when you are craving a cigarette because you are addicted to it.
One of the sources here. [http://www.instah.com/quit-smoking/does-smoking-relieve-stress/]

As a Smoker, I can tell you it's less the nicotine and more the whole ritual of smoking that relieves stress for most smoker. Because it gives you an excuse to disengage from what is stressing you and have 5-7 mins of peace. The hunt for your pack, then your lighter, then fighting the wind to get the cigarette lit are all parts of a ritual that is often comforting to the smoker in question, and therefore helps reduces stress and agitation.

 

[lacktheknack]

I don't generally hate smokers. I hate the ones that blow smoke in my face.

 

[lacktheknack]

I hate smokers. They force that crappy smoke down our throats and none of them have any consideration for others. Standing right outside a grocery store or where ever your shopping and going "At least I'm outside."

I hate the smell of smoke. I hate the taste of smoke. Cigarettes do absolutely nothing positive for anyone except curb the addiction you had to create in the first place.

I would illegalize cigarettes (along with alcohol) but no one agrees with me (users).

I think you need to realize that saying you 'HATE' a person is a strong statement.

A lot of people have already pointed out that feeling disgusted or uncomfortable with the personal habits of another person is a relatively reasonable and rational response, but I think it's a little asinine to march out the blanket statement "I HATE THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE!" It's more than a little silly for you to claim that you feel that strong an emotion towards me when you've never met me, let alone been impacted by my habit.

Also, flatly expressing hatred of a group is just begging for an invocation of Godwin's Law.

I HATE smokers. I HATE smoke. If I could, I'd go around punching smokers in their faces for smoking. Instead I just avoid people who are smoking.
I find it a common occurrence to find people who smoke also happen to have low income or no jobs and poor education or intelligence.

I HATE bigots.

I DISLIKE people who automatically call anyone who has a strong opinion a "bigot".

 

[Deonysus]

My mother smokes to i don't really care.
That is, as long as you don't decide to light a cigarette at the buss station in a crowd of people. That is just rude.

 

[Leg End]

So let me pose a question: How many groups of people can you think of who it is societally acceptable to describe as "disgusting?" Pedophiles?
*snip*

Um... as a non-offending one(the majority), I kind of take offense to that OP. Especially since you lump us in with Serial Killers and Rapists. Can you please change that? You don't have to, but it would be nice. Preferably to Child Molesters.(Pedophile and Child Molester are not interchangeable) EDIT: Thank you, OP.

OT: As kindly as you would treat anyone else. I treat them with respect, though I ask them to not smoke around me as it gives me a headache. (Responding to the TL;DR, but I read the whole thing)

I dislike people who started smoking around the year 2000-2004 cause by then most people should have realized that smoking is mostly full of negatives and very little positives, not to mention they can be harmful to the people around them (more than people realize too, people lose years of their later lives without knowing it when they second hand smoke)

I don't dislike them for not breaking the addiction though cause I do believe smoking is a hard addiction to break.

So let me pose a question: How many groups of people can you think of who it is societally acceptable to describe as "disgusting?" Pedophiles?

*snip*

Um... as a non-offending one(the majority), I kind of take offense to that OP. Especially since you lump us in with Serial Killers and Rapists. Can you please change that? You don't have to, but it would be nice.

I reckon they need new names or something cause people keep forgetting that pedophile doesn't equal someone who rapes or abducts children (pedophile is defined as someone aroused/interested in children last I remember)

Also, children are people under 18 years.

(Not entirely sure what you mean by that...)
Actually, the attraction is exclusively or primarily to prepubescents or early pubescents. Anything higher can either be Hebephilia or Ephebophilia.

OT: Kinda But Tanks are way worse.

Very clever.

[sub][sub]Last threadpunch from me. [/sub][/sub]

OT: Eh... you can say that, but there isn't really a reason to hate them. If you don't like smoke, ask them to light up away from you.

 

[Runswithscissors]

I think recent events have led me to an entirely messed up stance on the subject.
My mother's sister was recently diagnosed with lung cancer as a consequence of smoking, sending big ripples throughout the whole extended family. It's all well and good to think in the short term - it's okay as long as smokers don't force cigarettes or blow smoke to other people - but in the end all you're left with is this kind of hurt, to the smoker and to their family and friends. It's the long term emotional stuff that bothers me. Same goes for any addiction, I suppose, so this isn't exclusive.
I understand that smokers see these risks, but I just can't fit this with my usual "everything in moderation" attitude. So I guess that leaves me in the "don't hate the player, hate the game" category.

 

[Ohhi]

I dont know why people hate smokers I mean I smoke but there are only a couple places that i smoke in and those places are outside on my porch, in my car and maybe outside someone's house if they have a party and I dont try to force my habit on anyone else but if someone wants to try it I am fine with letting them try one I just dont see why people hate smokers I mean its just a habit is it ok for me as a smoker to hate people who hate me the answer is no I have to deal with the ridicule day in and day out and I dont respond to it because if I did that would just spread the circle of violence and do nothing to stop the hate.

 

[Aerodyamic]

I hate smokers. They force that crappy smoke down our throats and none of them have any consideration for others. Standing right outside a grocery store or where ever your shopping and going "At least I'm outside."

I hate the smell of smoke. I hate the taste of smoke. Cigarettes do absolutely nothing positive for anyone except curb the addiction you had to create in the first place.

I would illegalize cigarettes (along with alcohol) but no one agrees with me (users).

I think you need to realize that saying you 'HATE' a person is a strong statement.

A lot of people have already pointed out that feeling disgusted or uncomfortable with the personal habits of another person is a relatively reasonable and rational response, but I think it's a little asinine to march out the blanket statement "I HATE THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE!" It's more than a little silly for you to claim that you feel that strong an emotion towards me when you've never met me, let alone been impacted by my habit.

Also, flatly expressing hatred of a group is just begging for an invocation of Godwin's Law.

I HATE smokers. I HATE smoke. If I could, I'd go around punching smokers in their faces for smoking. Instead I just avoid people who are smoking.
I find it a common occurrence to find people who smoke also happen to have low income or no jobs and poor education or intelligence.

Well, I hope that you have the time and inclination to try that on me or my girlfriend. In fact, I'd like to encourage you to find a biker bar, and march right in and start punching the biggest smokers you can find.

 

[Odbarc]

Well, I hope that you have the time and inclination to try that on me or my girlfriend. In fact, I'd like to encourage you to find a biker bar, and march right in and start punching the biggest smokers you can find.

Note I didn't say I'd actually do it. It's just smoke makes me rage. A previous quoter said hate is a strong word, but it's accurate. I really do hate it. It's my medulla oblongata flaring up.

On your note of going to bars and spontaneously start punching people... I would purposely NOT go to bars just for that reason. A good time to start would be if a guy was following me just to blow smoke in my face and wouldn't leave me alone. I'd treat it as assault.

 

[I Max95]

i dont hate smokers i hate smoke

it smells terrible and its obnoxious when someone is smoking right next to you
its happened to me several times and its a terrible first impression to have

 

[Chrinik]

It's not okay to hate smokers.

Disagreeing with their inability to move to the other side of the room, exit the place in question, and in general treat someone's right to not be around smoke (which should always have the higher consideration, given the coughing, feeling, etc) should always be put ahead of any other consideration on the smoker's side.

You have the right to move out of the room also...putting yourself in an environment which you KNOW is harmful for your health is stupid and doesn´t hold a case in court. But majority makes the case here...if there are more smokers in a room then nonsmokers, they are in the right if smoking is not prohibitted (and you are probably in the smoker-room to begin with XD)

This may hold a case in terms of bars and other such places, but otherwise in every other setting it becomes a false argument.

Exactly, if a place is known for containing smokers, leave it be. And no, it doesn´t become a false arguement, because if there are more non-smokers in the room, guess who has to adapt? Majority wins, have a happy democracy.

 

[philzibit]

I hate smokers. They force that crappy smoke down our throats and none of them have any consideration for others. Standing right outside a grocery store or where ever your shopping and going "At least I'm outside."

I hate the smell of smoke. I hate the taste of smoke. Cigarettes do absolutely nothing positive for anyone except curb the addiction you had to create in the first place.

I would illegalize cigarettes (along with alcohol) but no one agrees with me (users).

I think you need to realize that saying you 'HATE' a person is a strong statement.

A lot of people have already pointed out that feeling disgusted or uncomfortable with the personal habits of another person is a relatively reasonable and rational response, but I think it's a little asinine to march out the blanket statement "I HATE THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE!" It's more than a little silly for you to claim that you feel that strong an emotion towards me when you've never met me, let alone been impacted by my habit.

Also, flatly expressing hatred of a group is just begging for an invocation of Godwin's Law.

I HATE smokers. I HATE smoke. If I could, I'd go around punching smokers in their faces for smoking. Instead I just avoid people who are smoking.
I find it a common occurrence to find people who smoke also happen to have low income or no jobs and poor education or intelligence.

I HATE bigots.

I DISLIKE people who automatically call anyone who has a strong opinion a "bigot".

If the hat fits.

 

[mental_looney]

Too many jobs of smokers getting extra breaks and nights out pre smoking ban in the uk and ireland with smokey clothes and hair and almost getting burnt have not left a good impression of all smokers, but it's still unfair to judge a group by it's worst members even when they seem like the majority.

In the end smokers will always have the chance of being disliked as there is an element of inflicting a harmful habit on those around them.

 

[Rolfydolfy]

I hate people who smoke around me, I hate when I go to a restaurant and see 3 guys flooding the place with smoke forcing me go to a different restaurant, I hate when I wanna go out everybody at the only bar is smoking creating a thick freaking toxic veil under the ceiling making my clothes stink, my throat sore, my contacts go dry, and my heart pound.

I don't really hate smokers, I just hate it when they don't consider other people. I know that they don't wanna expose others to their smoking, but that they need to smoke just like I need my fix of coffe.
However I truly praise the smoker with enough consideration to take his smoke outside and not bother others with it. These people are the good stuff.

I wish to offer a possible alternative to smoking however in order to be constructive and try to help in any way. The alternative I propose is using snus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snus
The snus is tobacco you put under your lip which lets the nicotine be absorbed through the skin.

It is in many ways superior to cigarettes.
It isn't inhaled so you don't do any damage your lungs, you also don't pose any risk to anyone else, it is less harmful to your health, you can use it wherever without anyone knowing if you use it properly, you have an increased chance of cancer in the mouth instead of in the lungs, but still a less chance of cancer, snipers won't immediately spot your head as a target in a dark environment.
You do however loose the "cool" look smoking gives you and you loose some ability to detect hidden laser traps.

Hmmm just read on wikipedia something which indicates that snus is restricted in certain parts of the world including 'merica. Damn greedy cigarette lobbyists! However, you guys have chewing tobacco, right?! Like what the cowboys used! Use that and you can get your nicotine high anywhere you want, without bothering anyone and without a lot of health risks.

 

[superbatranger]

For me, it is quite simple. I don't hate smokers, nor do I hate smoking. Now, it's not my thing, but I won't judge those who do just because they smoke. A lot of my friends are smokers, and I don't judge them negatively because of it.

 

[ShadowsofHope]

No, but then again, I don't hate the person themselves. I hate the habit and the cigarette themselves. Utterly vile and toxic little things that do nothing more than lead your lungs more quickly into cancer (for most, at least). And smell horrible on the side as well.

Before someone remarks "It makes me feel good", that is the addiction talking. A literal and chemical rewriting of your brain in order to make you desire the next smoke. Otherwise, you are just poisoning your body. And of course, "It helps me relieve stress". No, it actually does not. It relieves the stress that you receive from the addiction itself, not from your actual stress. The addiction is playing a mind trick on you, in this matter.

But really, as long as smokers take common decency to stay out of the way and general breathing room of non-smokers that actually value their respiratory health, then I have no issue with the act itself. It's only hurting them, then.

 

[s0p0g]

blah

blahblah

Again like I pointed out before Cigarette tax money goes into the health care system so no you are not paying for there medical treatment

the majority of studies comes to the conclusion that their treatment-cost (and other economic damage, e.g. more days off work due to sickness) outweigh the tax yield, at least over here in germany, so yes, i am ^^

plus: more and more smokers (especially cigarettes) buy their smokes abroad, in countries where a pack isn't as expensive as over here, so we don't even get the full tax benefits. and no, neither are there customs to pay (within the EU)