Are people too hard on smokers?

[Cheery Lunatic]

I actually really like the smell of smoke, so I'm terrified of even trying one cigarette, cuz I'm certain I'd be hooked on 'em.

That being said, I don't really care whether or not you smoke, or if you smoke near me. It's not like smelling that stuff for a couple of minutes will cause me to drop dead. On the other hand, I can understand why people would be upset, I'm just not one of them. I do think the level of hate is ridiculous though, you'd think they were drug dealers or something.

 

[General BrEeZy]

Almost every smoker I know is a jolly ol' fellow, but that real getter-downer about them is
1. their smoke is annoying
and
2. whats the bloody point in shortening your lifespan on account of an addiction? why does anyone even START something like that??

so i think we are too hard on them sometimes. be nice to everyone people, no matter what. voice your opinion politely and dont make it ruin life as a whole.

 

[pearcinator]

Who smokes still? Its 2011.

Maybe people are too hard on smokers but you know...its only gonna get harder from here as the whole world knows that its bad 4 u.

 

[Navvan]

No I don't think people in general are too hard on smokers. There may be some who go overboard, like criticizing the qualities of people who smoke and such. However consider the facts why people don't like to be around those who smoke.

The biggest one for me (and it seems others) is that people who do not smoke generally find the smell displeasing. Not the smell of the cigarette burning itself, but the stale smell left by smoke residue on you and that around you from smoking. Unless you wash your cloths and take a shower after every cigarette, chances are you smell. People just don't like being around people who smell bad to them.

It is unhealthy to be around someone while they are smoking. Not really a good reason avoid someone who smokes completely as you can typically avoid them while they are smoking, but there are times I get stuck in a vehicle of someone who smokes and have to ask them to roll the window down. Even then you still inhale some. Also never try to take a road trip with a smoker in a vehicle belonging to someone who doesn't allow smoking in the vehicle. You either have to knock the person out or make unnecessary stops.

A lot of smokers litter the butts. Not all smokers mind you, but the fact that cigarette butts can be found almost everywhere mankind typically walks is evidence enough of this. However, this is more of a human tendency than solely those who smoke as you can find litter in all those places as well.

Many are inconsiderate and smoke in public areas. Its dam near impossible to be near any major bus stop and not see someone smoking despite it being against the law. Arguments of exhaust fumes being more unhealthy are moot point when you are on a walkway, doorway, or any place where any human would normally wish to traverse. Cars typically aren't. Also the toxicity of exhaust fumes are attributed to smothering gasses, not carcinogens/mutagens like that from a cigarette.

For the last part of this wall of text I would like to address all those who state things like "I can't smoke anywhere anymore" or "I smoke into someones face for coughing at me". To the first, in no way is anyone obligated to give you a place to smoke. The government is obligated to act on the will of the people and the people said I'm sick of having to sit/be around people who smoke. Also smoking in public establishments being illegal (even if the owner doesn't mind) is a direct result of it being a working hazard. Its the same reason we don't people work in any other unnecessarily hazardous condition even if they want to. That is putting it simply but tough live with it. To the second, just because they are being rude doesn't mean you have to be a complete asshole. Also chances are you are smoking in an area were it is illegal to smoke and are blocking a walkway. Don't just consider that no one is around you while you smoke, consider that no body will want to go where you are while you smoke.

 

[Febel]

Yes, I'm really tired of people glaring at me just because I'm trying to enjoy a nice fat cigar outside my apartment building.

 

[Mr.Platinium]

WOW, people are selfish, self-righteous and really quite stupid. Bitching about smoking. Here we go: I do not smoke cigarettes. Personally I'm not a fan of the taste or smell and I don't like the idea of being addicted to them. But FFS, people who complain about smokers and their "hazardous" nature honk me off more than anything else. Some of you people need to get a clue.

Life is rough. Maybe not for some people who grew up spoiled or just lead really sheltered lives or whatever, but I can think of hundreds of things more dangerous than smoking. Humans world wide still have to deal with far worse challenges than a bit of burning tobacco. It's in mans nature to be destructive, look at the militant attitudes some of you people have, GETTING INTO FIGHTS with people just for smoking. Guess what you fools, one day you will DIE ANYWAY.

I look at it this way: life is too short and the universe is far too vast and complicated to make it worth complaining about stupid shit like this. Especially since most of you idiots only want to live longer so you can work your soul-crushing "job" for the rest of your lives, raise ungrateful children who hate you for all your flaws, only so you can wither away in a retirement home until you die, at which point you wouldn't care about anything at all would you. And for what? Societal "progress"? Supporting the economy? What a steaming crock that all is.

But I digress. Smokers are people. They vary from good to bad, irregardless of their habits. Everybody has a vice, and if you don't, jesus murphy what kind of robotic freak are you. He who casts the first stone and all that. Stop hating you whiners.

Here's the funny part: I have asthma too. Second hand smoke never bothers me unless it's pungent and directly at my face.


I would finally like to wonder if this also depends on location? Americans seem to be much more hard-nosed about this than we Canadians.

 

[Nemesis729]

I don't care if people smoke, it doesn't really bother me, But I don't think I would be able to date someone who smokes, kissing would actually make me gag and just be unpleasant.

 

[Devornine]

Enough said

 

[OtherSideofSky]

No. They smell terrible, their habit gives me migraines, and it can be harmful if they do it near me to much. It isn't a purely private thing, so people have the right to be bothered.

As far as the pain of the headaches goes, smokers might as well be people who just walk up and hit me in the head with a rock. So yes, I don't like them and can't stand to be around them.

Now that this subject's brought up, I find it hilarious how the government cracks down on the Tobacco industry but not on the oil. Smoking affects the smoker and those in his/her vicinity, but emissions affect so much more. Electric powered cars aren't perfect, but they sure as hell are more on the right track than what oil pushers and industrialists are on.

This is because the way modern media and campaign policies work encourages an environment in which spineless people who think more about their careers than their responsibilities are the only viable candidates for election. They barely had the guts to go after tobacco, and they're utterly incapable of the organization necessary to phase out oil. Just to be clear, I'm not talking about one party or administration here, I'm referring to all of them, at least as far back as the 80s, when candidates changed the way they handled their media relations by hiring teams of people to script and arrange everything down to the tiniest detail.

 

[KarlMonster]

I was recently reading a thread that asked the question: "what are your deal breakers?" I noticed there was a very large amount of people who claimed smoking was an instant deal breaker, no matter the person, some even going as far as saying they would not even befriend someone who was a smoker.

For the record, I was one of the first people in that thread to mention smoking. If not the first.

HOWEVER, what I said was; if we couldn't work out a compromise (regarding smoking or whatever other potential problem arose), or if she was unable to make a good faith effort to meet me in the middle, then yes, it would be a deal-breaker.

Now smoking is a filthy habit. But I knows some very purty, and very smart wimmens who are smokers. I'd be happy to try to work something out with a few of them. Yeah, the smoke would still bother me. A lot. But I'd be willing to try to make a relationship work.

I guess I had to go to bed before that "won't befriend a smoker" stuff came up. That's pretty harsh.

Capcha: They might be tlembeth socialist.

 

[Devornine]

It isn't a purely private thing, so people have the right to be bothered.

So people like you have the right to take away another person's rights because you are "bothered" ??? Doesn't sound very fair to me.

 

[CommieCowboy]

As long as cannabis remains illegal and there are tobacco smokers who advocate its prohibition, there is no such thing as being too hard on smokers. Cannabis makes you feel good; tobacco does not provide an enjoyable intoxication, turns you into a drug addict, and gives you cancer and heart disease.

I also believe it would be better if tobacco users switched to pipes or bongs or something. There'd be way less litter.

 

[OtherSideofSky]

It isn't a purely private thing, so people have the right to be bothered.

So people like you have the right to take away another person's rights because you are "bothered" ??? Doesn't sound very fair to me.

I didn't say I could ban them from doing it. I said I could complain, ask them to please do it somewhere else (I wouldn't go into an area where people are smoking and do this, but I would ask some one who sat down next to me not to light up) and avoid associating with them. I'm just saying that isn't like collecting baseball cards or something, which could never bother me and I would therefore be rude for discriminating against.

Your reading comprehension is clearly faulty if you think "the right to be bothered" means "the right to place restrictions on". I can only do that on my own property.

 

[Devornine]

It isn't a purely private thing, so people have the right to be bothered.

So people like you have the right to take away another person's rights because you are "bothered" ??? Doesn't sound very fair to me.

I didn't say I could ban them from doing it. I said I could complain, ask them to please do it somewhere else (I wouldn't go into an area where people are smoking and do this, but I would ask some one who sat down next to me not to light up) and avoid associating with them. I'm just saying that isn't like collecting baseball cards or something, which could never bother me and I would therefore be rude for discriminating against.

If you don't like the smoke I understand... so why don't you leave instead of making the smoker?

 

[Kiju]

It's a dirty, selfish, and financially draining habit.

Those who are still smokers despite knowing this are too weak willed to give it up, or too selfish about their own needs and wants to care about others. They can come up with excuses that it's too difficult or that they have to have one just to calm down after a stressful day. Bullshit; it's just as lethal as sitting in a closed room with a car turned on, and they're too damn afraid to kick it because they don't know how to deal with their own problems any other way. I can calm down by sitting in a comfortable chair and reading a book for about an hour.

I've never smoked because my dad smoked, and I hated that about him. It was disgusting, smelled horrible, and permeated everything that he got close to. I could always tell which Christmas gifts were from him because they smelled like cigarette smoke. Admittedly though, I like the smell of unlit cigarettes; they smell like tea-leaves.

Does smoking make them any less of a person? To me, it does. Does that mean I won't get to know them despite this? No. I won't like the fact that they smoke, but it was one of their life choices, even if it was a poor one, and one they could kick if they wanted. However, it is only one facet of their lifestyle, and I won't force them to stop, though I would be eternally grateful if they refrain from smoking when around me. Kicking that habit is something they have to realize and accomplish on their own. If they do accomplish it, though, it would very greatly impress me. I know it's difficult to kick an addiction, and I look up to those who can do it without relapsing. My grandfather on my mother's side is one such man who did it, and I couldn't be prouder to have met him and know that.

 

[Devornine]

It isn't a purely private thing, so people have the right to be bothered.

So people like you have the right to take away another person's rights because you are "bothered" ??? Doesn't sound very fair to me.

I didn't say I could ban them from doing it. I said I could complain, ask them to please do it somewhere else (I wouldn't go into an area where people are smoking and do this, but I would ask some one who sat down next to me not to light up) and avoid associating with them. I'm just saying that isn't like collecting baseball cards or something, which could never bother me and I would therefore be rude for discriminating against.

If you don't like the smoke I understand... so why don't you leave instead of making the smoker?

??

Seriously? The smoker is the source of the smell and smoke here. So yeah, he/she should leave, because what every other person does doesn't bother the smoker, but the smoker bothers everyone else.

If there is something you don't like, and that person has every right to be there, then it is rude to make that person leave. I quit smoking a while back so I don't like being around the temptation, but that doesn't give me the right to tell a smoker to leave because I am bothered. Do you not see how wrong that is?