Why do smokers think their habit is socially acceptable?

Question

It is not socially acceptable to fart of scratch our butts in public. Why should it be different for smoking?

Smokers who complain about the bans are amusing. If someone came into a restaurant and sat at the table next to them stinking of feces, they would complain rather than defend that person’s right to stink — just as non-smokers complained about smokers. Health issues aside, smoking is often an offensive invasion of other people’s personal space and the case can be made for limiting it under the law for that alone — as we do with NOISE, for instance.

cry_wolf - I am far from being fat, and I am not unhealthy.

Dingle Berry - It is not surprising for a comment like that to come from someone with a screen name like yours.

sarah r - I don't believe it's an addiction. If it's an addiction, then why doesn't everyone smoke?

Marysia - I don't remember the days of doctors promoting cigarettes. That sounds ridiculous. similar to "the world is flat" theory. I believe you, but it's sad. I am a post baby boomer -never heard of doctors promoting "cancer sticks"

Answer 1

why stereotype?.....I'm a smoker, I agree with limiting where one can smoke in public places, but ultimately it's a personal vice, and shouldn't be taken out of context due to some smoker's disrespect of those around them....

Answer 2

Hi. I am a smoker. I have to tell you this. I don't think about the acceptance of society at all when I am smoking. I choose to smoke it is my body and I have a right to do with it whatever I want. If someone does not like the fact that I smoke that is their problem not mine. If I am in a public area that does not allow smoking I will not smoke, If I am in a public area that allows smoking then I will. If a non-smoker comes into an area that allows smoking they have no right to complain. There are plenty of non-smoking areas available to them. When I go to a casino they allow smoking. even in California which shocked me. If I approach a machine that has a person playing next to it I ask if they mind if I smoke. If they say yes I go to another machine. Now if I am playing at a machine and someone else comes up to a machine next to me and becomes defensive because I am smoking they are in the wrong not me. I was there first.

I think this whole smoking issue is really easy to settle. If we all respected one another and considered eachother feelings then there would not be an issue. Both smokers and non-smokers need to learn to respect eachother. Compromise would be the key here.

Answer 3

Queensland Australia has very strong anti-smoking laws introduced just over 6 months ago which prohibit smoking within 10 metres of any cafe or dining area. In hotels, bars and nightclubs, smoking can only take place in a small designated area that's usually caged off from the rest of patrons and in those areas you're not allowed to eat even a packet of chips or nuts.

Most hotel rooms in Australia now prohibit smoking and there are harsh penalties for stubbing your ciggie out on the street. The main street of the capital city will soon become a non-smoking area as well.

I smoke but don't yell at me! I only do it privately in an open area on my 11th floor balcony and I make sure the stinky smell and toxic chemicals don't come into contact with others.

I agree that smoking is socially unacceptable. The smell is awful!!! I applaud non-smoking in public areas for the better health and comfort of the majority of people. Smokers like me can find a place in outer mongolia to pursue our filthy habit.

I plan to give it up on the 23rd of March this year.

Answer 4

I am a smoker and I know it is no longer socially acceptable. I can no longer smoke at my place of employment. I enjoy smoking, but not when I have to stand out in the cold. I've pretty much accepted the fact that the only place I can smoke is in my own home. Other smokers would do well to accept the same. We smokers have become the minority.

Answer 5

Smoking is more sociable than alcohol or anything else.
You may have not noticed but the smoking ban has caused hundreds of pubs to close, thousands of jobs losses, and one pub group reported a 17% loss in revenue, so many more places will close. People are not socialising anymore (the ban is anti-social) and more kids are drinking in pubs, drug/cocaine use in on the mega increase in pubs, and double the number of people are hanging around on the streets drinking. The reminder of people are all drinking and smoking at home around their children, etc, etc.....

Answer 6

becuase it has been a society norm for generations and it's a "hard habit to break". remember the days of doctors promoting cigarette's or being offered one upon enter a home.... the list goes on and on.
cell phones could be considered the same intrusion - i can not stand to hear people's conversations in grocery check out lines, gas stations etc. i usually asnwer them back - just like people used to fake cough and hack when passing a smoking section.

Answer 7

What Bothers Me Is that individuals want to assert That overweight everybody is overweight because They Dont Care even as Thats no longer The Case. My Little Sister is going To The health center With A Trainor An Hour an afternoon Monday, Wednesday, And Friday, and he or she Has 2 PE instructions. and he or she Eats healthful and individuals Make exciting Of Her Callin Her Names And Bein propose because She Cant administration It. I Smoke And the individuals I communicate over with Dont Have Nothin to assert about those who smoke, yet Wait till They See a huge individual, they are throughout It.i might want to a lot somewhat Have human beings call Me Gross, because Smoking Is Gross, overweight human beings most of the time Cant help It and also you comprehend They Dont Like looking Like That So Why might want to You Wanna call Them Gross Thats basically terrible. call Me Gross. Im the only which Smells Like A walking Ash Tray. and that i Tryed To provide up, And it isn't user-friendly And Im no longer attempting to Make Excuses For Myself, yet What Else am i able to Say this way of days i will study. Ya comprehend And For One, even as Im In A automobile I placed Them Out In Soda Cans Or Ashtrays I Dont Throw Them contained in the Yards and that i Dont Like even as human beings Do It because Im Very Paranoid Its Going to commence A Wildfire, I Dont Smoke round toddlers, and that i bypass 7 Hours an afternoon without Them And Im no longer A Witch. So whats up With That

Answer 8

you're nuts>> you can't compare cigarette smoke with feces,socially acceptable or not it is their choice to smoke and they have rights too. Most laws prohibit smoking in restaurants, hospitals, stores, etc. so what else do you want? tell them they can't smoke at home too? If a smoker gets too close to you, you can always move, that's your choice.

Answer 9

Why do non-smokers pose silly questions such as this? Do you really think we care if it is socially acceptable? Do you think people smoke because society likes it? We are doing it to our bodies... If you don't like, don't stay in the smoking sections... what few are left anyway. We can't smoke anywhere we go any more, so what exactly are you complaining about?

Answer 10

I don't think it's so much that they believe it's socially acceptable as that they are not aware how awfully they smell. A friend of mine was supposed to have quit smoking for her husband after his heart surgery and yet when she walked into the office ( a large office) everyone could tell immediately that she had been smoking. She herself couldn't smell it and made jokes about nicotine deprivation.
My father smokes cigars, and has trouble understanding why after 24 hours in his house I have a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.
Smokers for the most part just aren't cognizant of how offensive the habit can be.
Of course, some of them are just assholes who don't care if they offend you and injure your health.

Answer 11

But people do fart and scratch their butts in public and they are free to do so.

I don't smoke but can see no reason why establishments could not have been given the choice to be smoking or non smoking or at least to have a smoking room.