Bullying of smokers justified?

Question

Hi,

I'm an ex smoker myself and god I am happy for that! Not only because I feel healthier, but also because I don't have to undergo the public bullying that is going on right now.

Non smokers: you now have what you wanted: smoke free pubs and restaurants... Why keep bullying and patronizing those who smoke? The only thing you will achieve is that smokers will light another one.

My question is not about whether the smoking ban is right or wrong, neither about whether smoking is bad for you - we all know this.

My question is about bullying. Is it just human nature to bully those who are considered outcast (and now with the help of the government) or is it really justified to say such nasty things to smokers?
Please be honest.

@ Zeppelin Roses...

Don't really understand your point. Your point is: bullying is okay?

Answer 1

Good question.
I used to smoke...I'm very glad I no longer do. Not because of the smoking ban but because it was making me ill... but that's another story.
Now I find I cannot be even in the vicinity of cigarette or cigar smoke w/o becoming choked up. If I'm somewhere I can easily leave, I do so. If not, say the laundromat, where I'm still busy, I ask, as nicely as possible if they would mind either smoking outside or just putting it out.
Most of the time these requests are met with , if not friendly compliance, at least some measure of grudging give.
However, there are the times when someone will become all but belligerent and not only continue to smoke the one already lit but immediately light another when the first is finished. This is also a form of bullying.
But to answer your question, yes I think many use any excuse to belittle and bully. It is their only source of perceiving their own personal power.
How sad...

Answer 2

NO! There Is No Justification For That Sort Of Thing Bullying For Nothing Is Wrong Period You Would Not Bully A Gay Person Or Straight Person Period Nor Bullying The Colour Of A Person That Is Not A Choice That Is Just Ignorance Just Look At The Source From Which It Comes From More Than 75% Of The World Is Brainwashed Or Just Plain Ignorance! Master Of All A Paul

Answer 3

I am a smoker, I don't mind the bans. But I do not appreciate the attitude. I am not a second class citizen because I smoke. Everybody wants everything smoke free but most insurance doesn't pay for the stop smoking stuff out there but if I were a drug addict or an alcoholic, I could go to rehab for free, or my insurance would pay for it. For life insurance it was a little more expensive for a smoker but it tripled because I had taken an anti depressant 3 years ago..My problem with the attitude is that there is no priority in view. Smoking is bad for your health, it stinks etc...but in the big ole world we live in there are many more things that are more dangerous, sick, wrong etc...So how many of you hate smoke, but beat your wife? How many hate smoke but lie to avoid paying your taxes. It's all about what band wagon you want to be on to make yourself feel better about yourself.

Answer 4

I am a non-smoker, I have never smoked, but I do not agree with the smoking ban and thats the truth.

I think its all a little too "big brother". I think its wrong people are made to feel inadequate for an addiction that, lets face it, is not half as bad as others that go on.

Firstly, think how many stories you've heard of violence following drink binges - now think how many you've heard following someone having one cigarette too many.

The government like to have control over people, and this was the easiest way to do it.

Answer 5

Whilst I'm not enjoying the smoking ban due to the fact I'm a smoker, I find it a waste of time complaining. However I went out last night went outside for a smoke but when I came back there was a family (2 kids) sat near to my group. The father kept going on and on about YOU smokers being sent outside and rubbing my nose in it. Got to the stage I just started talking to my friends swearing loudly to the stage he got annoyed.

I pointed out this was a pub, it was 8pm and this was an adult space. He and his family left.

I'm ok about the ban but I'm not putting up with some idiot baiting me. Afterall I never did that to non smokers when we could smoke, I never lit up in a place that served food.

Answer 6

Can't it be thought of the same way by saying Smokers bully Non-smokers by breathing their smoke all over them?

Personally, I would just rather walk out of a bar/restaurant and not smell like cigarette.

Answer 7

I stopped smoking 6 years ago, it was for financial reasons. I wanted something expensive and had to save all my money or I would have still been smoking. Its wrong to bully smokers ! what happened to our "free country"? were is our freedom of choice? Its just another example of a nanny state and the majority are just following like sheep. I feel like starting to smoke again just for the hell of it. I always say if you don't like the smokey atmosphere go out side there is plenty of fresh air out there!!!!

Answer 8

Firstly before I make my point I will state that I

-am personally happy with the ban (I love not smelling of stale smoke)
-think the ban is wrong (I feel it should be up to the landlords discretion)
-enjoy the odd cigarette

However, I do not agree with you that it is bullying because they are 'considered outcasts'

do you feel the same way about murders and rapists? Do they simply have different opinions about lifestyles? Should they not be 'bullied' or have 'nasty things' said about them just because they are considered 'outcasts'? (Note, I'm NOT saying smoking is as bad as murder or rape at all, just using it to illustrate my point)

***
EDIT: No my point is that smokers aren't being bullied. Saying 'nasty things' about things you don't agree with when they are harming you isn't bullying.

If you smoke in a public place you are harming other people, fact. So why shouldn't people say nasty things? If they said nasty things when you smoke in the privacy of your own home then that would be bullying.

To Denis C: No that isn't hypocritical at all. Yes, there is no doubt cars cause harmful fumes but whats wrong with cutting down on harmful fumes? Imagine if there were the car fumes AND the cig fumes - there would be a higher grand total of fumes wouldnt there?

So they choose to cut back on something, which of the two things would be best to give up with the least compromise to your standard of living? Cigarettes.

Answer 9

I smoke, and I hate being told what to do by anyone. But, I do think that eventually, this smoking ban will reduce the number of kids who start smoking, and that has to be a really good thing.

Smoking is a really nasty habit, and something I wish I never started. And, hopefully, I will kick the habit one day. But, it won't be because I have been 'bullied' into it. Bullying of any sort just makes me more stubborn.

(And for any of my kids reading this, remember what will happen if you EVER even think about starting smoking)

Answer 10

I work at the biggest Car Auctions, and thousands of cars, roll past the auctioneer, The fumes is so bad, It effects your breathing, 'hence' a bad chest? People are walking around in the fumes, And every where there are Signs posted NO SMOKING. Now the very people who moan about smokers, contribute to the bad air, stink, fumes, In there little clean polished cars with signs on there dash bord, 'no smoking' HYPOCRITICAL?