Smoking etiquette: Should I offer my friend a cigarette?

Question

I have a new friend who doesn't smoke, but he was telling me how he wants to start ... we're both in our 20s, so it's really his decision. Anyway, I was just wondering what the etiquette would be if I was to smoke around him -- do I offer him a cigarette?

And yes, I know smoking is bad for you, but that isn't the question here.

Answer 1

Well I recently heard that even if you smoke a pack a day the rest of your life you still only have a 20% chance of dying of lung cancer. He's gonna smoke or not regardless of whether or not you give him his first one so I think it would only be polite to offer him one if you are smoking one in his presence. If he declines then obviously there is no need to force it upon him.

Answer 2

I would never offer a non-smoker or an ex-smoker a cigarette. Should they regret smoking in the future, there's no way they can hold me responsible, or hold a grudge against me. I had to cope with something similar when my daughter started; I made sure I did a good job explaining the pros and cons of smoking, emphasis on the cons at first, then pledged to support it either way. Occasionally, she mentions that she wishes she never started smoking, to which I say nothing (I'm not about to say "I told you so!"), but I feel good that she knows I tried once to steer her in the opposite direction.

Other smokers on the other hand, I'll offer a cigarette to, if it's convenient. Whenever my sister and I get together (about once a month) we'll normally first thing smoke one of each other's cigarettes. And when I'm offered a cigarette, I do enjoy occasionally smoking something other than my own brand, but don't like having to buy an entire pack to do so.

Answer 3

I wouldn't. He may be saying he wants to start, but if he hasn't got the hutzpah to go and buy a pack himself, or directly ask you for a smoke, don't offer him one. You're doing him a favor without doing anything at all. We both know how insanely hard it is to try and quit, and we both know that eventually, he'll want to quit, as pretty much all smokers do, so save him the trouble if you can. Etiquette is not really a factor here. If he's your friend, you do right by him whether it's polite or not. :)

Answer 4

If he wants to smoke he will buy a pack. Unless he asks you don't give him one. And don't feel bad. I hate "hinters".

Those kinds of people are the WORST. They think they are sooooo slick. I have a (somewhat of a) friend who I sometimes run into at Starbucks and she will say hi quickly followed by "I am so broke, I wish I had money for a coffee".

I just say "That sucks" and ignore her while she sulks and gives me evil looks. I know she spends her money on junk food and trinkets and crap so I refuse to buy her a Venti triple caramel frappachino for freaking 6 bucks! Insane. Plus she has diabetes....but I digress.

Never...give in to...the hinters.

Also you don't want him to remember you as the guy who gave him his first cancer stick. Let him make his own choices, and purchases. Maybe he will change his mind when he sees how much cigarettes cost!

Answer 5

I'm a smoker and I never never offer anybody a cigarette. I wouldn't care what the etiquette was. I'm only feeding my own nasty habit.

Answer 6

i take advantage of to be a smoker (for like 2 a protracted time) and had an identical problem as yours. i'd smoke in my room or the bathing room with an open window then spray the room with freshener and bathe myself in physique spray. I continuously concept i'd desire to conceal the scent from my mum and dad and siblings who have been all non human beings who smoke. Now that i'm a non smoker (i resulted in 2003)i'd desire to scent cigarettes on each little thing. while spend a pair of hours with my acquaintances who smoke i'd desire to scent the smoke on my clothing on an identical time as quickly as I get domicile. while they get into my automobile, i'd desire to advert as quickly as scent the smoke. The scent clings to each little thing. i do no longer think of you may desire to truly conceal the scent of cigarettes fairly to a non smoker.

Answer 7

Nah - if he wants to start up let him do it on his own. He can ask you for one if he really wants one. He's probably just trying to be cooler as the new friend or something. I wouldn't encourage it... just let him start up on his own if he wants to. Or just be a good new friend and tell him it's retarded to start now and he'll know that you wouldn't think differently of him as a non-smoking friend.

Answer 8

When you know that smoking is bad altogether then what made you think to even ask our opinion wheather you should offer your friend a cigarette. You should instead avoid smoking yourself and tell your friend not to indulge into smoking as well.

Answer 9

It's good etiquette to offer someone else a cigarette, just as you should offer sweets to others.

Answer 10

You know that smoking can/will some day kill him, but go ahead and offer him his first cig, because hey, the guilt of someone someday being dead because of something you introduce them to today is not really the question here.