Poll: Ye olde Cancer Sticks

[Dexiro]

I don't mind people smoking at all, it's just when it comes to passive smoking or making things icky.

Passive smoking doesn't bother me because I'm concerned for my health, it's just that I like to breath, and I struggle to do that with a face full of smoke.

I have fond memories of being stuck in the back of my parents car as a kid and almost suffocating because there was so much smoke, opening the window did nothing. And I still get situations like that occasionally, whether I'm stuck on the bus or having a friend smoke while I'm trying to talk to them.

There's the issue with making my clothes and stuff smell like smoke too, or nomming someones face and having it taste like cigarettes, it's icky but those don't bother me too much.

 

[Kermi]

Once I was having a cigarette in a public place with my wife and some teenage girls about 5 metres away and upwind (ie: smoke was nowhere near them) started pointedly looking at us while gagging and coughing. They were kind of dressed like little sluts so the first thing that popped into my mind was to turn to my wife and say loudly "You'd think they'd be used to gagging on cock all day."

Not the hottest burn I've ever accomplished, but it did make them angry enough to go away, so it sufficed.

I was around smokers before I smoked, and didn't need to be a little ***** about it. I'm considerate enough to stand away from non-smokers, especially kids. People who get up in my face to complain about second hand smoke might as well get in the way during an orgy then complain about rape.

 

[C95J]

My name is Vern, and I'm a smoker. I do feel the attitude towards smokers is getting borderline ridiculous, even though I tend to be a considerate smoker. If I'm around someone who doesn't smoke, I'll ask if it's okay. If they say no, I don't. If they say it's fine, I'll hold the cigarette downwind, and don't blow any smoke towards them. Keeping in mind they said it's fine that I smoke around them I still try to keep it away from them. If someone starts hacking and coughing from a distance away outside, they're just being a douche bag. It's not harming them in any way, it's being dispersed in the air, and they just feel like being superior to a filthy smoker. It's a choice that I've made, and I don't smoke around children, if I'm at someone's house that doesn't smoke I'll go outside, I don't blow it in people's faces, I pay for my own health insurance so I don't waste tax dollars, I put my cigarettes out in ashtrays, so I'm not quite sure where the villainy comes in. I'm here, I smoke, and least I don't use coke.

brilliant answer, and this is coming from a non smoker. I don't care that people smoke, it's their choice. I won't annoy them for that.

 

[Glamorgan]

I hate it when people smoke. Sure, it's their choice, but I always end up breathing in some of the smoke accidentally, and I absolutely hate the smell. I wont go out of my way to express my opinion to them, but I will cover my mouth and nose if I need get too close.

 

[Brandon237]

I don't smoke, and never will. I hate to sound like I am not accepting the lifestyle, but I hate it when it people smoke in public areas. I smell the smoke strongly and it leaves me feeling not so good. It is also not pleasant to see the effects it has on family members, my aunt smokes and when I see her having coughing fits I have to ask myself why.

The one thing most people don't seem to think about is dependence other people have on them, most people have friends and family, am I right? If someone smokes and that kills them, or even causes serious problems as it inevitably will, the family and friends suffer too. Same reason I think suicide and intense alcohol consumption is damn selfish, because it is the friends and family that end up suffering, to hurt others is what is selfish, and unless you are COMPLETELY alone in the world and never go into any public areas, smoking is more than a little selfish I hate to say.

So personally, I dislike it, quite a lot. Sorry if I have offended.

 

[Poptart Invasion]

lol right as i began reading this thread i lit one up, without even thinking. XD
that is, a tobacco cig, not a left-handed cig.

im with vern on this one. you definately have to be considerate. drinking around non-drinkers is generally cool, but then people usually dont pinch someones nose and shove the bottle down their throat when they drink (and even then, you have to be considerate around people trying to quit).

but what i do on my down time is my business. whether im sittin at home watching the tube or in public but out of range of potential non-smokers, if its not in your personal space, then i dont want to hear about it.

yeah, it could kill me. but it feels good, and frankly, why even bother trying to scare me out of something that i like but might kill me after half a century's time when there are so many unenjoyable, let alone uncontrolable and unpredictable, ways that i might die within the week?

CORRECTION: when i said "in public," i meant outside. obviously id have to be a massive douchebag to expect someone who cant stand it to put up with it anyway at a resturant or library or whatever.

 

[inFAMOUSCowZ]

I dont smoke, and I'm fine if you want to smoke. Just dont blow the smoke in my face and we wont have a problem

 

[Crazy_Dude]

I make them myself with Shag. No filter. Its a lot cheaper then those stupid cigarettes. God those things are horrible to smoke freaking expensive I would have to pay 4-5 times as much if I smoked cigarettes.

 

[Debirufisshu]

I answered "Not Cigarettes *winkyface*" because I smoke cigars, in fact I run a specialist cigar store. In my job I have had to deal with some of the worst of the preachy asshats out there. I remember one particular instance where a woman went out of her way to come in to my store to reprimand me for "selling death, like the devil". I kid you not.
I hate being villanised for what I enjoy but 75% of the time it is a lack of understanding that drives this.
That and, being a cigar smoker, I don't really walk around smoking or nip out in to the street for a smoke so when I am smoking it is usually around people who appreciate it.

And for the record I think cigarettes are vile. But it's their choice.

I wish more people smoked cigars instaed of cigarettes. Hadn't come across cigars until last month, when I ended up drinking with a cigar smoker. I was really suprised, the smoke didn't smell like chemical ass.

Ive been smoking since i was 14, and to be honest ive never had any hassle from randomers telling me to put it out. I think this is more of an american issue, and probably abit in the south of england, but here in the north it just seems like no one gives a shit.

I've yet to see anyone give a shit in the south either.
I find it a bit annoying when in in the pub with a large group smoking cigarettes, because they smell awful, and occasionally there's enough for my lungs to feel like crap. But I don't make an issue of it and have another beer.

One thing I don't get is how students can afford to smoke. I bought a pack for my mate a while ago, Jesus Christ, I couldn't afford that habit even if I wanted to.

well thats just how we brits do it, we dont like complaining in public and telling people to stop what their doing or anything because we are reserved. which to be honest, i think is a brilliant trait, if more people were like the british a lot more would get done as less time would be spent on complaining like a pansey. well the only thing we do complain about in public is queue related issues, cant beat a good queue.

also, students can afford to smoke because of a magical thing called 'maintenece allowence'. I was a student recently until i decided that university was a load of bullshit and spent all mine on beer and cigs, now i have a £5000 debt, i guess im lucky that i didnt start uni later with people having to pay upto £9000 JUST for their course starting 2012. i dont blame for students being pissed off and destroying things, it almost feels like were in france.

 

[Zanakanishi]

I have smoked for years now.. I used to get complaints from my family, and I have had an indirect complaint, and old woman looked at me, smiled and as I took out a ciggie while smiling back she grunted and shook her head as she saw the cig :/ (and the family complaints were just stop before you get addicted... that was a few years ago, never did take that advice)

 

[Lawyer105]

I don't smoke. Never have (except for one, to see what all the fuss was about - needless to say, that one cured me of any further desire to find out more).

I don't care if you smoke. I don't care that you ruin your health. I don't even care that it's likely to cost money in health-care etc. At the end of the day, tobacco taxes (and taxes on tobacco companies) probably cover most/all of it.

However, I don't see any reason that I should have to BREATH your smoke, so... this :

There was something my dad said once...
"The product of smoking is smoke. The product of drinking is urine. But once I've been for a drink, I don't come piss all over you."

I must admit, I've got no problem with the considerate smokers. However, because they are considerate smokers, I'm probably never really exposed to them. That means that the only smokers I'm really exposed to are the inconsiderate bastards. Which is (imho) the reason ALL smokers get a bum rap - because most people are only ever exposed to the selfish dudes.

 

[Wicky_42]

I find the principle of smoking to be objectionable, and the companies that create cigarettes unethical, and smokers generally lose a couple of points in my eyes. However, I'm happy to live and let live, especially if they're considerate with their smoke and blow it up, rather than leave it, say, hanging in front of you on the pavement.

I can't understand the people that need to have a cigarette every hour or so - you know, the sort who can't sit through a meal or film, an who light up every single time they go outside. That's like swigging from a hip flask all day - it's not good, and should be recognised as a problem :/

 

[Antari]

I treat non-smokers with the same level of respect they treat me. If you approach me fake coughing and hacking, and looking at me like I'm Al Capone. I'm much more enclined to go out of my way to make absolutely sure my smoke offends you. If you mind your own business, or POLITELY ask for me to smoke else where, I tend to be quite happy to do so.

Its all about your approach. If you walk up to someone insulting them and generalling attacking their character. Your more likely to loose your teeth than get what you want.

 

[Berserker119]

I don't and probably won't, but I've been around so much, that it's probably got the same effect by now. I don't like it, for obvious reasons, but I'm not going to say anything, because if they wanted to quit, they'd quit.

 

[fletch_talon]

I think the reason smokers get some degree of disrespect has something to do with smoking having numerous negative effects and no benefits.
Its kind of hard to fully respect someone who willingly takes up a habit knowing full well that it is harmful to them.

 

[Outright Villainy]

I don't smoke, but both my parents do. To be honest, I don't think this anti smoking bias isn't half as bad where I live, which is good. It's a personal choice, and getting up in someone's grill over it is a dick move.

That "should smoking be banned thread?" gave me a headache.
Too many people in need of a slap, too little time...

 

[Mistermixmaster]

Nah, I don't smoke because I don't want to pay for something that will go up in flames. Waste of money. But if I'm with any friends who smokes and they offer me a cigarette I might take them up on the offer, depending on my mood. I don't smoke other stuff like weed though, keep that shit away from me

 

[Debirufisshu]

i think what most non-smokers don't understand about smoking is about how ADDICTIVE nicotine is. being a smoker i can say that nicotime makes you feel great, if your having a bad day, just that little boost can make it less painful, and believe me ive had my fair share of bad days. even if you arn't having a bad day, its just human nature to want to feel better in the short term even if it means harming your body. i fully know the risks, my grandad died when the was 40 from smoking, but i do it because i want to, i don't think non-smokers should be so prejudiced. its not as if i dont know the risks, and i don't like smoking infront of children. if its adults i dont really mind, because they have the choice to walk away, but a child can't just walk off from its parents.

 

[newuseforvintage]

Spoiler

And for the record I think cigarettes are vile. But it's their choice.

i have the opposite problem, ive had cigars on quite afew occasions, the smell is alright but i kept trying to smoke them like you would a cig and the end result was a massive feeling of nausea and stomache ache... probably my fault though anyway.

Well... Yeah =P
The smoke from a cigarette has piles of products in it to make it smoother and easier for your lungs to handle whereas Cigars, well, don't.
The smoke is really heavy and dense, it's just more than your lungs can handle.
Though if you like the aroma of them chances are you'd enjoy the flavor too...

... as long as you remember not to inhale =P

 

[Silver Patriot]

As a person with moderately severe Asthma, I have trouble breathing when exposed to cigarette smoke. (or any type of smoke really) However I don't care if other people smoke. As far as I am concerned it is a personal choice. Just keep me away from it. I go though enough albuterol as it is.