Yes I smoke.. So I'm the devil now?

[Lionsfan]

Speaking as a former daily smoker, and now an on and off again smoker I know where you're coming from. And some people really do need to buzz off and mind their own business...however some of them do have a point. I know several rude smokers who don't follow any rules, blow smoke in peoples face, or smoke right before going inside somewhere despite being asked not to.

I think if everyone was just more considerate it wouldn't be a problem, but we all know that's never gonna happen

 

[Ed Classified]

I'm a smoker but here in the Netherlands nobody really cares about it I guess.
I have both smoker and Non-smoker friends and they get along just fine and I never get lectured by random people.
My only smoking rule is don't smoke when there are kids around and if you must go outside.

As for your problem you know the risks and you made your choice stick with it and if someone has a problem with that, well then it's literally their problem.

 

[Singularly Datarific]

No beef with smokers. It's your own choice and I tend to give the benefit of the doubt to users of products that create chemical addictions.
Now cigarette COMPANIES are evil assholes.
I don't mind it if someone does that, but when you are specifically manufacturing a product scientifically proven to not only be chemically-addicting but also kill you as a side-effect of its primary use, you are a heartless monster who should choke on his own production line.

 

[Dr. Pepper Unlimited]

I guess I will cast the unpopular opinion - can't stand them. I don't see any logical behind doing it. I'm sure someone will say something, but I honestly can't stand people that do it or your reasoning behind it.

 

[CounterReproductive]

I will put it as simple as possible.

You smoke. You are an idiot.

Let me explain why.

1.) You STINK.
2.) You LITTER.
3.) You do not respect the health of people around you.
4.) You do not respect YOUR health.

Debate it or not all of these things are true. Now if you were SMART you would quit and tell other smokers to smarten up and do the same.

1.) Yes smokers smell of cigarette smoke... wow who knew that would happen.
2.) Hmm Are you saying that only smokers litter ? I have witnessed plenty of non smoking litter on the streets.
3.) I will respect the health of other people when the government respects the health of other people and bans diesel fuel which when burned gives off carcinogens and considering the number of cars compared to smokers means you are more likely to catch cancer off a truck than a smoke yet the government does nothing about it.
4.) Not true he understands he has only one life he can lead and so he wants to live it the way he wants to, not purely the way somebody else wants him to.

 

[Soods]

I think smoking is one of the most evil things I can come up with; right up there with the holocaust in WW2. The nazis had clear reasons for the massacre, and they didn't harm themselves with the holocaust. But smokers harm themselves AND those around them. For what? "Eloquent taste"?

 

[nbamaniac]

snip.

If you understand the risks of smoking and do it anyway, that is completely fine, it's your body you can do what you want to it. If you don't smoke around non smokers when they don't want you to then you aren't really hurting anyone else by doing it, so then it comes down to whether you feel like your doing something wrong. If you don't then why post this thread at all? And if you do then maybe you should figure it out for yourself instead of seeking comfort on the internet from people you don't know.

Uhh yeah.. I am seeking comfort not answers.. How did you know?! You must be a psychic or something. Nice assumption there.

I guess I will cast the unpopular opinion - can't stand them. I don't see any logical behind doing it. I'm sure someone will say something, but I honestly can't stand people that do it or your reasoning behind it.

It's actually the other way around. You are with the popular opinion here in the Escapist.

 

[Jumplion]

I don't care if anyone smokes, it's their body. Just be respectful when you do smoke. I remember my family and I were out at an open-air restaurant and the guy sitting next to us asked if he could smoke. We politely told him we preferred that he didn't, so he didn't. Simple as that.

This talk of how people perceive smokers has gotten me thinking. People don't look down on people that drink, or at least not as severely as smokers. It's interesting when you think about it.

I think the reason why people look down on smokers is that it's probably the closest of all the legal drugs that is like the illegal drugs. With tobacco the usage and symptoms seem to me to be more akin to that of some other drugs (not saying it is as bad, or that smokers are like heroin users, yadda yadda, etc...). It's more of a selfish drug like heroine or cocaine, people willfully (whether they are psychologically/physically dependent on it doesn't really change that) use those drugs for their own benefit, and their negative side-effects are much more prominent. Wrinkling, yellow teeth (or no teeth), bad smell, skin rashes, all that stuff, these are all associated with the harder drugs. It's this dependency that smokers exhibit that people associate with those other kinds of drugs.

Compare this to alcohol, a fairly sociable kind of thing; you can drink it with friends, you can drink without succumbing to any severe side-effects so long as you know what you're doing, and it doesn't really leave any immediate physical symptoms. You may feel bad with a hangover, sure, but you don't smell or get yellow teeth or whatever. You can get addicted to alcohol like you can with tobacco, but there doesn't seem to be that air of disapproval that tobacco users get because, as I said, it's more of a sociable thing than smoking is.

I dunno, that's just me thinking. It is interesting, though, how people react to two equally destructive substances in different ways. Hypocrisy and pretentiousness? Maybe. I just know I personally don't want to bother with those kinds of things, so I don't, simple as that.

 

[nbamaniac]

4.) Not true he understands he has only one life he can lead and so he wants to live it the way he wants to, not purely the way somebody else wants him to.

Ninja'ed :/

 

[davros3000]

To OP well done on you sir, smoking is a civilised and cultured way to enjoy tobacco. But may I suggest you try a cigar? Even if not a full cuban, a cigar has better taste.

And yes, that gentleman was the anti smoking ninja. Did you not notice he used piano wire to slice of the burning tip of your cigarette?

 

[FamoFunk]

I smoke, but I'll tell you what fucks me off about other smoker when I'm not smoking? When they smoke around me and I have to breathe it in, I hate it, I'll always ask if it's OK to smoke or I move away from everyone.

Maybe you're a selfish smoker without knowing it?

 

[savageoblivi0n]

I've dealt with a lot of the type of people OP is referring to.. I smoked for...umm *thinks* 14 years now give or take, and don't regret a day of it

If your health ends up turning against you later on down the path, do you think you will regret it then?

Note: This isn't an attack or a diss at all, I'm honestly curious.

No, still wouldn't, I have more serious health issues to worry about, and the minor problems smoking had caused have already vanished since I switched to the E-cig. Besides, life is too short to waste time regretting anything, I've made worse choices and still don't look back with anything less than satisfaction on my life.

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

You an absolute idiot for smoking. I mean really the buzz is gone, most of your stress is caused by your withdrawal of a cigarette. It fucks up your looks, your lungs, and your ability to taste. Why in gods name would you start?

Now if you'd excuse me all this talk of smoking has made me crave a cigarette. BRB

 

[Neekoolawous]

The problem with smoking is that after a while it becomes a huge money sink. Some people (myself included) feel that smokers could do better with that extra money, and feel bad/annoyed that they don't see that too.

 

[Fappy]

You made an informed decision to harm your body. There are stupider things you could do.

 

[stutheninja]

Totally agree with the OP on this one, i tend to smoke when i drink, and thats about it. However, whenever i do i get at least 3 people who look at me like i killed their first born. if you dont like you dont have to tell me, just leave, if not then just deal with it, im not forcing the smoke down your throat, plus i tend to position myself so as not to be downwind from people, so you're welcome

 

[stutheninja]

To OP well done on you sir, smoking is a civilised and cultured way to enjoy tobacco. But may I suggest you try a cigar? Even if not a full cuban, a cigar has better taste.

And yes, that gentleman was the anti smoking ninja. Did you not notice he used piano wire to slice of the burning tip of your cigarette?

Totally agree, Cigars are where it is at. Tastes better and you look about 10 times cooler, not that thats important...

 

[KingofallCosmos]

If you don't judge me for my love of McDonald's french fries, I won't judge you for your love of cigarettes.

Honestly they're probably even health wise.

I think you put it nicely there.

Loving the hate responses btw. Always fun when people think they're better based on some small principle.

 

[similar.squirrel]

Do they alleviate your ADHD?