Are people too hard on smokers?

[Headbiter]

Honestly, I'm beyond being considerate about smokers.

I don't even bother hitting on the health-aspect because, quite frankly, if you didn't realise it's unhealthy in our time and age, it's just another case of Darwin.

So what else do we have?
Smell - that stuff stinks. Some even stronger than others. And that smell lingers in your clothes in the air, basically accompanies you.
Money - cigarets and cigars cost money. Considering what they give you back in return (coughing, yellow fingernails and aforementioned smell?) they're darn expensive. It doesn't even feed you, quench your thirst or give you sexual satisfaction, nor does it give you any kind of real challenge.
Social impact - Smoking is anti-social. Wether if it's aforementioned bus-scenario, the entrance of your home, university, work or any other building or just walking down the street, you'll force the effects of your "lifestyle-choice" on everyone around you. There is no such thing as "considerate smoking" since the stench and the direction of the wind aren't things you can control. It's like I'd randomly belch or fart into people's faces on my way to work. And I really could punch some people, when I'm out in a restaurant, enjoying a nice meal, when suddenly all you taste is tobacco, because the asswipe next to you thinks, that his beer tastes best with burnt leaves.
And no, gathering directly at the entrance of a restaurant and starting to talk to each other because you feel awkward is NOT a social activity.

Considering all those aspects, I'd seriously wonder about the intelligence of a smoker, let alone his/her ability to make good decisions.
Plus, most smokers are assholes by nature. Why? Well, try walking around in a city without stepping over half a gallon used cigaretes and you know why. If that "Ah well, someone else will take care of my crap"-attitude isn't a first-class douchebag-indicator, I don't know what is.

Now, why wouldn't I want to hang out with a smoker? hmmmmm

 

[StormShaun]

Frankly I despise smoking and everyone who does it, Id say ban it all for the better of mankind, because it affects everyone...badly.

This is my opinion by the way so dont complain.

 

[Exile714]

I like opening the windows when the air gets cooler out and before it gets too cold. I love the smell of fresh air coming in from the woods outside my place. But now a smoker lives next door, and the smoke comes in. Even if I close the windows the instant I notice the smell, it lingers for an hour inside (and is MUCH worse if I leave the windows open).

I could not care less about what people are doing to their health, but ruin my pristine air and you go on my "do not help in disasters" list.

Also, people with body odor, cologne, bad breath etc. If there's a fire in the building I'm leaving you there. It's not that you're bad people or anything, I just can't stand living on the Earth with people who smell. I have a good nose; it's not my fault.

Captcha: An advertisement for Windows Internet Explorer 9... which I swear, I thought was free. Why advertise a free product? Why use advertisements as captchas? I just don't get it.

 

[dark_mist34]

Meh! justdon't blow it in my face and I don't care.

 

[Thaliur]

They are hated on way too much.
Their habit may be illogical but it's one of their weaknesses.
We all have weaknesses.

The main difference being that most other weaknesses don't harm anyone except the person who has this weaknesss.

 

[SurrealFactory]

Yes. It's none of your damn business, people can do what they want. You aren't better than them, and you aren't their parents.

 

[Korolev]

I've had friends who have been smokers. I don't hate smokers so long as they don't try to deny the link between lung disease and smoking, and as long as they don't blow smoke right in my face.

Smokers aren't evil - they're risk takers, and they might be just a little bit foolish - but they're not evil, provided that they smoke by themselves.

I will never understand why anyone under the age of 30 would smoke, but then again, I don't understand the actions of a lot of groups.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Would I date a smoker? Nope. I've seen first hand the potential health effects smoking can have, and I don't want to put myself through that. It also costs a small fortune, smells terrible, and makes a mess in your home.

That said, I think some places/people go a bit too far with the smoking crucifixion. I understand not wanting to eat your dinner next to someone who's smoking, and I understand being pissed that the person sitting next to you at work gets to nip out for 20 minute smoke breaks all the time while you're expected to sit there and work, but trying to make it illegal for people to smoke outside? Or in their own homes? Get a grip.

 

[trollnystan]

I actually forgot to add that to my dealbreaker post. Wouldn't be able to date a smoker. Kissed one once and it was like kissing an ashtray, blech. Not to mention they smell like my father did... Yeah. Not good.

But I don't hate smokers. Heck, seeing as I grew up around heavy smokers I can breathe second-hand smoke almost like I can clean air. I just have nasty associations to it and thus don't want to date them.

The smokers who litter the streets with their cigarette butts however... *rage tick*

 

[Julianking93]

No. I don't think so, at least.
I despise smoking, but then again, I'm allergic to it.
There are some people who are way too harsh on smokers though, I will admit.
One of these people is my mum who is adamant in her belief that all smokers are fat disgusting pigs who don't care about anyone, not even themselves, and they all need to die and smoking should be illegal everywhere.
Now, that's just an extreme, yes but there are lots of people who share that same belief.
I for one... just don't want to be around it.
I think it's inconsiderate to smoke around other people without consideration for anyone else, yes but I don't think smoking should be illegal nor should smokers be hunted down.
Simply put... don't blow smoke in my face, and I'll be fine.

Oh and another thing, I wouldn't date a smoker, obviously.

And oddly enough.... my captcha is "Know Your Rights"

Weird >.>

 

[Denamic]

Too hard on smokers?
It's disgusting, expensive, unhealthy, obnoxious, etc.
It has zero positive qualities, and you want me to 'respect' their choice to smoke?
I won't respect your choice to cut yourself, so why would I respect smoking?
Cutting yourself is healthier and doesn't affect your peers, at least.
Might lead to an infection, but that's easily treated, and it strengthens your immune system.

And no, smoking does not relax you.
When you're addicted, NOT smoking agitates you.
That relaxing feel you feel when you smoke?
That's relief. That's how non smokers feel all the time.

 

[BlueFishie]

No sympathy from me. If you have any strength of character whatsoever, picking up/quitting smoking is your choice. It's a gross habit, too. I admit my issues are personal, because I can't stand the stuff. But yeah, don't want to be treated like a stinkbomb? Don't smoke!

 

[TheFinalFantasyWolf]

People are way too harsh on smokers.

Personally for me, I'd prefer a partner that didn't smoke, but if I really care about the person, it certainly wouldn't be a deal breaker, although I'd try to help him to gradually quit.

 

[Moeez]

Too hard on smokers?
It's disgusting, expensive, unhealthy, obnoxious, etc.
It has zero positive qualities, and you want me to 'respect' their choice to smoke?
I won't respect your choice to cut yourself, so why would I respect smoking?
Cutting yourself is healthier and doesn't affect your peers, at least.
Might lead to an infection, but that's easily treated, and it strengthens your immune system.

And no, smoking does not relax you.
When you're addicted, NOT smoking agitates you.
That relaxing feel you feel when you smoke?
That's relief. That's how non smokers feel all the time.

Emos must have some AMAZING immune systems, then!

I wouldn't spout off any science mumbo jumbo like that, a person would cut themselves to get bacteria/viruses in there and hope that the immune system has the right antibody to do the job?! You're literally playing with life-and-death there.

 

[Woodsey]

Refusing to be friends with them and shit is moronic. Seeing a girl smoke (or her smelling of it) is definitely a turn-off, but disassociating yourself with that person completely for that one thing is ridiculous.

 

[Denamic]

I wouldn't spout off any science mumbo jumbo like that, a person would cut themselves to get bacteria/viruses in there and hope that the immune system has the right antibody to do the job?! You're literally playing with life-and-death there.

No, I play with life and death when I play Russian Roulette.
Right now, I'm typing on a web forum.

And you don't 'hope' you have the right antibodies.
You develop them when you need them.
It's why eating your own snot when you're a kid is healthy in the long run.

 

[Herbsk]

I can tell you I won't date anyone who is a smoker - because it smells and kissing them would be gross. I could be friends with someone who is a smoker, or hang out with them, as long as they do not smoke around me.

Its the habit I find disgusting - not the person doing it.