Poll: Ye olde Cancer Sticks

[Zannkimaru]

I don't smoke and i have no problem with people who do. My only real view is when your in my house you smoke outside, apart from that smoke away lol i have no problems with being in the house of someone who smokes inside that's their house their rules.

 

[PrimoThePro]

The question here is, what is so wrong with people who smoke? These days, because of the whole healthy lifestyle kick, it seems that this in particular is being villainized.

It's like how the smoker is prosecuted, but the overweight are not. You will see many a fat people yelling at those who smoke. I'm not saying the overweight are worse, but if those people want to be militant health freaks, then they gotta pick every battle, otherwise they are a hypocrite.
Enjoy your smokes, enriel.

 

[ReservoirAngel]

I smoke, yeah. Not regularly, but enough for people to tell me I'm addicted. I probably am, but I don't give a shit.

And OP I'm with you on the people looking down on you in public. I was waiting for a bus, smoking while I did so, and this lady came and sat right next to me. She then proceeded to dramatically and very-obviously wave her hand in the cloud of smoke I was making, then turn to me with a look of sheer disgust and say "can you put that out please?"

Ya know what lady? No! No I fucking can't! You don't like breathing it in, sit on one of the other seats openly available that are further away. Don't choose to sit RIGHT next to someone casually enjoying a cigarette then proceed to demand that they stop enjoying their cigarette just cause you didn't think to sit somewhere else. I've had a long day of work, plus then having to manically try and find my boyfriend his Christmas present in the short time before when I get off work to when the shops close, and if I need to unwind with, yes, a cigarette, in a place when it's perfectly acceptable to do so, I'm not gonna stop just because some miserable diddery old bint decided that she want to sit next to me when there are many other seats available in the otherwise-empty shelter of the bus stop!

She didn't take kindly to me telling her that...

 

[BoredRolePlayer]

The only problem I have is that at my school there is a rule saying you have to be 15 feet from a building to smoke, and since no one does that I hear they are going to build little sections for them to smoke. I find that a little unfair to be honest

 

[Zannkimaru]

I smoke, yeah. Not regularly, but enough for people to tell me I'm addicted. I probably am, but I don't give a shit.

And OP I'm with you on the people looking down on you in public. I was waiting for a bus, smoking while I did so, and this lady came and sat right next to me. She then proceeded to dramatically and very-obviously wave her hand in the cloud of smoke I was making, then turn to me with a look of sheer disgust and say "can you put that out please?"

Ya know what lady? No! No I fucking can't! You don't like breathing it in, sit on one of the other seats openly available that are further away. Don't choose to sit RIGHT next to someone casually enjoying a cigarette then proceed to demand that they stop enjoying their cigarette just cause you didn't think to sit somewhere else. I've had a long day of work, plus then having to manically try and find my boyfriend his Christmas present in the short time before when I get off work to when the shops close, and if I need to unwind with, yes, a cigarette, in a place when it's perfectly acceptable to do so, I'm not gonna stop just because some miserable diddery old bint decided that she want to sit next to me when there are many other seats available in the otherwise-empty shelter of the bus stop!

She didn't take kindly to me telling her that...

I would of loved to have been there to see that lol when i go out with my friends who smoke i've been there when someone has moaned at them for smoking in the smoking area outside a bar/restaurant etc. I mean seriously...

The only problem I have is that at my school there is a rule saying you have to be 15 feet from a building to smoke, and since no one does that I hear they are going to build little sections for them to smoke. I find that a little unfair to be honest

Quite a few work places do that now too, they have special "huts" for the smokers to sit in and great big signs telling them where they should go to smoke.

 

[BoredRolePlayer]

I smoke, yeah. Not regularly, but enough for people to tell me I'm addicted. I probably am, but I don't give a shit.

And OP I'm with you on the people looking down on you in public. I was waiting for a bus, smoking while I did so, and this lady came and sat right next to me. She then proceeded to dramatically and very-obviously wave her hand in the cloud of smoke I was making, then turn to me with a look of sheer disgust and say "can you put that out please?"

Ya know what lady? No! No I fucking can't! You don't like breathing it in, sit on one of the other seats openly available that are further away. Don't choose to sit RIGHT next to someone casually enjoying a cigarette then proceed to demand that they stop enjoying their cigarette just cause you didn't think to sit somewhere else. I've had a long day of work, plus then having to manically try and find my boyfriend his Christmas present in the short time before when I get off work to when the shops close, and if I need to unwind with, yes, a cigarette, in a place when it's perfectly acceptable to do so, I'm not gonna stop just because some miserable diddery old bint decided that she want to sit next to me when there are many other seats available in the otherwise-empty shelter of the bus stop!

She didn't take kindly to me telling her that...

You were in the right on that, she had no reason to sit next to you then complain.

 

[ReservoirAngel]

I smoke, yeah. Not regularly, but enough for people to tell me I'm addicted. I probably am, but I don't give a shit.

And OP I'm with you on the people looking down on you in public. I was waiting for a bus, smoking while I did so, and this lady came and sat right next to me. She then proceeded to dramatically and very-obviously wave her hand in the cloud of smoke I was making, then turn to me with a look of sheer disgust and say "can you put that out please?"

Ya know what lady? No! No I fucking can't! You don't like breathing it in, sit on one of the other seats openly available that are further away. Don't choose to sit RIGHT next to someone casually enjoying a cigarette then proceed to demand that they stop enjoying their cigarette just cause you didn't think to sit somewhere else. I've had a long day of work, plus then having to manically try and find my boyfriend his Christmas present in the short time before when I get off work to when the shops close, and if I need to unwind with, yes, a cigarette, in a place when it's perfectly acceptable to do so, I'm not gonna stop just because some miserable diddery old bint decided that she want to sit next to me when there are many other seats available in the otherwise-empty shelter of the bus stop!

She didn't take kindly to me telling her that...

You were in the right on that, she had no reason to sit next to you then complain.

I can't help but feel bad for pretty much flying off the handle at her like that, but it had been a shitty, long and annoying day, and she just struck me the wrong way to inspire such anger. I'm not normally an angry person like that, she just brought it out in me.

 

[3AM]

Am I the only non-smoker that actually kind of likes the smell in a way? I just like the smell of it wafting through my window at night along with a cool breeze. Maybe it reminds me of going places.

However, it's not a habit I want to get into. It's an unhealthy waste of money, like some other things.

I think young children might be more sensitive to the smell of cigarettes. I disliked my uncle when I was very young because "he's a hippy and he smokes". I just really hated the smell, so I hated whenever he stayed with us, even though he was a nice guy.

You're not the only one - I also like the smell of good tobacco. I don't like the smell of stale smoke trapped in a room though, or ashtray smell. I'm not a smoker.

One thing that kills me about our hypocritical society is that we tax the hell out of smokers and other weak evil-doers (drinkers and gamblers) at the same time we tell them all to stop. I understand that tax money is supposed to go for smoking/general evil habit education but it rarely does. What would happen to the rest of us god-fearing right-living people if our weaker brothers and sisters stopped their evil ways and stopped paying all those taxes?

As for smoking in public, it's like anything else. Don't be an asshole and hopefully people won't be an asshole to you. Unfortunately there are no guarantees for that.

 

[Gamblerjoe]

The other day I was having a smoke and a small child (who never got anywhere near close enough to me to breathe in any secondhand smoke) felt entitled to look over at me and begin melodramatically gagging coughing and so on. Now personally, I find this very offensive; I'm being made fun of and alienated for a lifestyle choice.

The question here is, what is so wrong with people who smoke? These days, because of the whole healthy lifestyle kick, it seems that this in particular is being villainized.

As though smoking automatically makes you some sort of second rate lowlife. Not to mention the preaching. I KNOW IT'S BAD FOR ME, LEAVE ME ALONE.

If you're a smoker - How do you feel about the way we're treated? Do you notice at all?

If you're not - How do you feel about it? Do you go out of your way to express your opinion on the subject?

i would have approached his parents and informed them how rude their kid was being. if they didnt seem to care i would get hostile with them (not violent though). thats great that they taught their kid smoking is bad, but hes going to forget that lesson completely when he gets older. what he is not going to forget, however, is that it is okay to be rude to strangers.

as far as the poll, i am gleefully still part of the minority!

 

[Private Custard]

I have to admit, OP has given me second thoughts on smokers. I'll admit I do not like it when I am near someone who is smoking and I can smell it, and I don't like the thought that people are killing themselves, but OP is right, I guess it is your choice as long as you do not negate anyone else's freedom of being able to breathe freely.

However, here in England, we have the NHS, so it does cost the taxpayer if they have to go on life support machines or if a tumour has to be destroyed.

Dammit, do I have to say this to yet another person.

IT COSTS THE NON SMOKERS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

Stats from last year.

Tax revenue from tobacco - £10bn

Cost of smoking to the NHS - £5bn

I'll let you work out the rest.

Touché, point accepted. I forgot about the amount of tax we get out of it.

Sorry, that may have sounded harsh! But that's the good thing about the cost of smoking in the UK, we pay our way....and some!

 

[zehydra]

uh enriel, the small child probably wasn't faking...

 

[Ross Gilligan]

I get harassed all over the place for smoking. A personal favourite are those that walk in massive circles around me to avoid breathing in that one tiny particle smoke they might pick up if the wind is blowing just right or they're attempting to french kiss me.

I got chastised just the other day in a fast food restaurant for rolling a cigarette, being asked if I wouldn't mind not rolling in front of some stuck up woman's kids. I responded with an arguement about how an eleven hour work shift entitled me to do what I wanted.

I think she believed I was the anti-christ.

 

[Azure Sky]

No I don't smoke. I also don't care if anyone else smokes, as long as I can't smell it.

This.

Also, several of my friends who smoke get reminded on how much they can save by quitting whenever they moan about money. =3
(The cost of smokes in Australia is now borderline retarded)

 

[Sightless Wisdom]

I hang out around a lot of people that smoke, and I occasionally will smoke a cigar or flavoured substance like shisha, so I have no problem with smokers. I also drink every once in awhile (yes I'm under aged for both... deal with it.). I think if somone wants to do something that will bring their death about a little sooner, that's their choice. As long as they're not in anybody's face about it's fine.

 

[CaptainKoala]

Smoking is smoking. I was raised around smokers and several of my friends used to smoke. I smoke a hooka and on occasion i smoke cigars. Just pull a bill hicks and if it happens again just look at them and say "Good thing you don't smoke."

Also just because i am an asshole at times.

Spoiler: Healthy Lifestyle Kick?

I googled Fat Americans in case anyone wants more.

OH SWEET BABY JESUS, MY EYES!

If I'm going to kill myself with an unhealthy lifestyle I will take lung cancer over obesity any day.

CAN. NOT. UNSEE!!!!!!
Good Lord was that necessary?

 

[Ross Gilligan]

I get harassed all over the place for smoking. A personal favourite are those that walk in massive circles around me to avoid breathing in that one tiny particle smoke they might pick up if the wind is blowing just right or they're attempting to french kiss me.

I got chastised just the other day in a fast food restaurant for rolling a cigarette, being asked if I wouldn't mind not rolling in front of some stuck up woman's kids. I responded with an arguement about how an eleven hour work shift entitled me to do what I wanted.

I think she believed I was the anti-christ.

Don't ever take shit from people eating at a fastfood restaurant, lol.

But yea, smoking is a great way to socialize and relax. Luckily I've never met anyone being a ***** about it. If they don't like it they can... you know, just go away, cause I sure as hell wont.
That said, ashtrays do have a really disgusting smell and so does stale smoke.

Exactly! If I've decided to kill myself slowly I don't need their input. They should be educating their kinds like they're meant to.

It is definitely a good way to socialise. I meet so many people going out for a cigarette.

Tell me about it, luckily I always smoke outside or out of my car window.

 

[Squidden]

I think people need to just shut the fuck up about how bad smoking is for you.

It's pretty well established now that EVERYONE understands that.

 

[Dragonforce525]

I'm quite fortunate to live in England where smoking indoors has been banned, because I don't go to many places where this law is enforced (pubs/nightclubs etc), being outside is the only place to smoke, so I really only have 2 options smoke inside or outside, non smokers know this aswell, I don't think they would dare have a go at a smoker for smoking outside after all that fuss about not being allowed to smoke inside.

 

[TankCopter]

I don't smoke (underage and my parents are pharmacists), but I don't really mind the smell of the smoke. If it's not too overpowering, I actually quite like it.

That said, I could see why people wouldn't like you smoking in public. But it's not like they're forced to stand next you in the street, people have legs for a reason. TO WALK. If someone's smoking and I don't like it, I move. Half the time they were there first and what the hell do I care if they want to smoke? It's their life, their problem and their money they're spending.