One for smokers or people who have an insight into smokers minds.?

Question

Why can't smokers seem to understand that some non smokers, myself included, don't want to be polluted by their breathed out smoke. That we hate the smell of it and that it has nothing to do with a 'nanny state' that we want to ban smoking in public buildings.

I really don't care at all if someone wants to smoke. It's their lungs, and their eventual ill health. What I object to is being made to breath in the frankly revolting smell and carcinogenic after smoke. I mean there is a strong link between smoking and ill health/cancer for goodness sake, so why do smokers (and I've never met one yet that understood what I'm talking about) not get this?

I sincerely hope my first answer to this is a joke. :)

Aha so cey the old 'just stay away from our smoke' defense eh? Basic physics should tell you that I can't. :)

Actually Cey, I don't mean to sound callous. I do understand that if someone has an addiction and they wish to stop it it's hard. You have my sympathies. Just because I haven't been addicted to smoking doesn't mean I haven't been addicted to something else, it might sound stupid but my advice would be just stop. That isn't as trite as it sounds belive me.

No I don't want to ban you from smoking outdoors, but smoking outdoors near a group of people who are not smoking? Perhaps. Would you like it if I brought a very loud stereo playing my music and stood nearby where you were having a conversatin even if I felt I had to listen to it as an addiction?

I suppose my point is a civil liberties one.

I don't want to get cancer. The chances of me getting it are increased by secondary smoke. Don't I have a right to be safe from this then?

I have to admit so far the people who are responding are a darn sight more considerate than most.

Dragon rage you say "No one is gonna come and blow on your face, If you dislike it avoid it." But that is exactly what happens all the time in the streets, I walk along and smoke gets blown in my face from uncaring passers by. Am I to avoid walking in the streets because there are smokers there? I already avoided pubs and bars as a rule because of smokers so my civil liberties are already curtailed. Is that fair?

By the way I won't rise to the word 'whine' ;)

And are you suggesting that I should not allowed start this line if questioning because 'this is a very controversial subject.' ?

India, I wasn't aware that smokers were banned from smoking 'in their own home, garage, car or yard.'

I agree that that would indeed be a nanny state and wrong.

I'm with you on the perfumes and after shaves too, I'm allergic to most of them.

The arguement about junk mail is something else again. And I'd quite like to stay focused on smoking. Just because junk mail may be evil doesn't mean we can ignore smoking.

Oh and I don't believe I was 'whining' (that word again I thought I was 'asking') about 'you' messing up 'my' air Kim & Chris. Is your argument then that because there is already so much air pollution that it should be ok for you to pollute it a bit more? It won't in the long run matter?

Martinamagrace, my point exactly.

Anjelkake - I hear what you are saying. I used to live in a small town and when the chemical fertilisers were being spread the whole town came out in a rash. So it was stopped. Because it was harmful. :)

Aha, so are we sissies for wanting our health then? And yes, SUVs are bad. But as I just wrote above, is your argument then "The air is polluted anyway" I don't drive and SUV. I don't drive. I use public transport. Because I care about the air quality for everyone.

And 'whining' again, gosh you all do like that word don't you. All right, I'm fed up with smokers whining about their rights being infringed when non-smokers basic health rights have been infringed regardless of education on the subject. See I can use it too.

And I do understand about addictions. I still think there a lot of thoughtless people in the worlds who smoke without care or consideration for others. As there are thoughtless people who drive SUV's and are careless in many other ways too

Answer 1

I am a smoker and I understand that non smokers do not like to be around smoke. yes in is bad for their health, they do not smoke so why would they want their hair and clothes smelling like they do? Not to mention many non smokers find it difficult to breath around the smoke. I have no problem with the ban on indoor smoking, but I do believe that a designated smoking area outside should be provided for smokers everywhere. you are one of the more enlightened non smokers I have seen, you must understand that many smokers take great offense to the 'over the top' non smoker who thinks all smoking anywhere should be banned. these are the people who complain about how detrimental it is to their health to be standing 20 feet away from a smoker, but never seem to have a problem breathing the polluted air, of say California (where they perhaps live). at the same time I realize you are probably use to dealing with the rude smoker who believes that if you don't like the smoke go eat, stand, etc somewhere else. both sides need to have common courtesy for the other.

Answer 2

I hate the smell of the chicken farm down the road. I hate the smell when they manure the fields for farming. I hate the smell of roadkill skunk. But y'know what, I kinda hold my breath, or cover my face and deal with it. That's what smokers want you to do. They want the sissies to grow some maturity and stop acting like babies. Cigar or cigarette smoke is not the worst thing you can breath my dear, try the exhaust from one of those SUV's -which I personally know many NON SMOKERS drive.

I am an ex-smoker. I didn't quit because of non-smokers whining and complaining. I quit for my own (and several) reasons.

I also know, that smoking has been deemed by many doctors to be hereditary. It's a type of self medication for some mild anxiety disorders. Children often become addicted to cigarette smoke, once they are away from the home too long, they crave that nicotine. Try to understand, in many cases, this was not their choice.

Answer 3

It really is about a "nanny state" When a smoker is told they cannot smoke in their own home, garage, car or yard.At what point is your right to not smell smoke and infringement on the smokers right to smoke? I personally loath perfumes and after shaves slathed on to the highest possible volume the cloying smell that fills every public elevator, mall and office place to a nauseating volume. Not to mention the volumes of junk mail it is far more hostile and just because no one has studied the ill effects this may be having it is OK? How do we know these are not the reason for increases in asthma as well as other breathing sensitivities and migraine. I dread work on Fridays when folks literally bath in the stuff to prepare for the evening. At least when public places allowed smoking there was a balance. I haven't been a smoker for 20+ years but I don't think it's my or anyone's place to begin to infringe on someones rights.

Answer 4

I am a smoker trying to quit, so I am someone who now despises cigarettes and while the bans certainly make it easier to refrain, they are the wrong way of going about the whole deal. Here's the thing, SMOKING IS LEGAL and it should be. Banning in office places and public buildings (post office etc) is fine beacuse people HAVE to go there. However, privately run businesses should be free to decide if smoking is allowed or not, because no one has to go there. If there is demand for non-smoking establishments, believe me they will be opened. If you dont like to be around smokers go to the restaurants and bars that prohibit smoking, but for those who enjoy a smoke with their meal or drink they can still enjoy it. No goverment interference just people making choices for themselves.

Answer 5

Well if you don't like the smell avoid getting near the person, I am a smoker and my non smoking friends do not object or whine about the smell, frankly this is a very controversial subject. No one is gonna come and blow on your face, If you dislike it avoid it. Simple as that. And besides many buildings now have smoking rooms so there :)

Answer 6

I can see banning smoking in public buildings , but to tell a privately owned business that they cannot allow smoking in their establishment is crazy . They should be able to decide who their clientele is . It is their livelihood !! Laws banning smoking have already been passed in this country affecting privately owned businesses . Though non smokers may believe they have gained some freedom they are wrong . When laws like this get passed it is just one step closer to other freedoms being taken away . Next time it may be your livelihood that is affected .

Answer 7

I am a smoker and I DO understand what you are saying. However, we already can't smoke in public places anymore, what would you like us to do? You can avoid our smoke, just stay away from it! If I am outdoors, I should be able to smoke wherever I like...or would you like us banned from the outdoors as well?? If you don't smoke, then you have no idea how hard it is to quit. Believe me I have tried everything and nothing has worked. So, until you actually put yourself into a smoker's shoes, you shouldn't be so judgmental!

Answer 8

it is because your whining is trivial about "us" stinking up "your" air
when we have to endure the stench of the factories next to the river, car exhaust, and oh, ever had to drive past an oil refinery?
(don't even get me started on B.O. and nasty perfume!)

the icing on the cake is that the government taxes us exclusively
for programs that everyone can benefit from...discrimination
i'm all for sharing the air and respecting other people... but I take offense at being treated inferior just for being a smoker

*edited to answer:Is your argument then that because there is already so much air pollution that it should be ok for you to pollute it a bit more? It won't in the long run matter?
no, i'm just saying make sure you are not contributing to the stink in your own way...and please don't take "whine" personally, we've just heard this declaration ad nauseam so it has become a droll whine...you asked why smokers feel as they do...i was trying to enlighten you... i'm sorry its not what you wanted to hear
and i assure you, in the long run, FEW things are going to matter
PEACE!

Answer 9

I used to smoke, T (possibly making me a figure of hate for the smokers on here!)

Have to say I doubt that most smokers are aware of the range and offensiveness of cigarette smoke to non-smokers. Smoking significantly reduces your ability to smell and taste. Your clothes, hair and personal possessions smell of stale smoke and you're hardly aware of it. I didn't realise how bad it was until I'd stopped for a while and recovered my senses. Now I realise that yes, a smoker sitting next to you on the train can be as bad as being next to someone with BO. And sitting on an open-air station platform, I've had to move seats because someone's smoking within 20 feet of me. They clearly think it "disperses harmlessly" but I can still smell their smoke on my clothes when I arrive at the office. You don't get that with perfume or car fumes.

I suggest you embark on a sprout, lentil and egg diet. When someone lights up, let rip and see how they like it.

Answer 10

Unfortunately, many of began smoking BEFORE we knew of the "dangers", and the additives put in the smokes to make them more addictive!
Yes, I smoke, yes I also HATE the smell of smoke, here in NYC you can't smoke in any public building..even bars, so you non smokers should be happy! I do have to admit, the bars smell better, if that's possible! But I also smoke MORE now that I am banned to the out of doors to smoke, instead of one, while I am out I will smoke 2 or three...so the Gov's plan is backfiring..I know alot of us smokers have actually increased our smoking when the ban was placed..tit for tat I say!