# Decided:Smokers are not people **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 7, 2010, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612 "2010-03-07T11:49:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/61 "2010-03-08T03:38:40Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > \*Cuntigo…/I] …from Milton Bradley! ---
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/62 "2010-03-08T08:29:01Z")
lol is that like chutes and ladders? ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/63 "2010-03-08T10:14:47Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > Have you tried looking at him pointedly and fake coughing? > [@FinnAgain](#): > > [Hrmmmmmm…](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9ySCcnoo3c) Anyways, passive aggressiveness is not my thing. If I ever need to do something about it, I will walk there and talk to him in cordial terms but as I said, he is smoking in his house. Hate it as I might, he is in his right. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/64 "2010-03-08T20:43:57Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > Anyways, passive aggressiveness is not my thing. If I ever need to do something about it, I will walk there and talk to him in cordial terms but as I said, he is smoking in his house. Hate it as I might, he is in his right. Better watch out. Sounds like your neighbors are a den of assholes. If the wife kicked him out she might be the to be cautious of. Assholes don’t do cordial. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/65 "2010-03-08T20:58:11Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Repeat after me: I only have the right to determine what happens up to but not beyond my property line. It’s true for me, you and everybody else in the world, so get used to it. Well, the smoke is happening on his property, isn’t it? Or would you have no objection to a metal band cranking it to 11 just outside your property line at, say, 4 o’clock on a Saturday morning? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/66 "2010-03-08T23:05:02Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > I’m not a big supporter of the smokers, although I do think they are still people. But the day you can’t sit on your own damn porch and do whatever you want that’s legal, is the day I don’t want to live in America anymore. Damn right. I’m a little sick and tired of the Fragile Flowers and the Delicate Snowflakes who are all so threatened or offended by things that are none of their business, and which have no effect on them except in their own diseased imaginations. I smoke. I take an occasional drink. I like red meat, preferrably with good marbling. I like my supersize servings. No matter what it is, some asshole somewhere has a problem with it. I have no use for the food police, the smoke police, the prohibitionists, or any of the others who want to dictate MY life. Y’all can shut your pieholes and mind your own business. Move the hell out, if you are so hurt by things that are none of your concern. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/67 "2010-03-08T23:07:20Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > Anyways, passive aggressiveness is not my thing. If I ever need to do something about it, I will walk there and talk to him in cordial terms but as I said, he is smoking in his house. Hate it as I might, he is in his right. I would tell you to mind your own business and get lost. Then I’d shut the door. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/68 "2010-03-09T01:27:57Z")
> [@](#): > > Or would you have no objection to a metal band cranking it to 11 just outside your property line at, say, 4 o’clock on a Saturday morning? Of course I meant anything within the law, in most municipalities there are noise bylaws that would come into play in this instance. So yeah, I’d have a problem with that and very likely call the cops. I wouldn’t expect someone to, save me from/wish death upon, someone who was say, cooking smelly fish, burning incense, smoking a cigar and I could smell it on my property. That would seem to be the cost of living in densely packed urban areas. Anyone too sensitive for such things should consider moving to somewhere that the houses are further apart. Y’know instead of trying to tell other people how they can live in their own houses or yards. As it happens, my neighbour does, from time to time, throw loud late night parties. It doesn’t really bother me, I figure he puts up with my crap, (whatever it may be, everybody has their thing, _shiver_), and I’ll put up with his. That’s kind of what makes a neighbourhood work, in my opinion. What I don’t do is pretend that I have any right to determine how he lives his life. Oh, I also don’t casually wish death on people, just so we’re clear. Oh yeah, almost forgot, _shiver_. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/69 "2010-03-09T02:00:50Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > I’m a little sick and tired of the Fragile Flowers and the Delicate Snowflakes who are all so threatened or offended by things that are none of their business, and which have no effect on them except in their own diseased imaginations. If somebody is _constantly_ smoking so close to a neighbor’s windows that the smoke gets into the neighbor’s house, though, he’s making his smoking the neighbor’s business. Same for people who are constantly burning incense or cooking smoky/stinky food or using perfumes or home deodorizers, or playing loud music or TV or yelling, to such an extent that the neighbors are constantly getting the effects of it in their own homes. **Occasionally** being a nuisance to the neighbors is just part of the give and take of community life, but people who are **constantly** broadcasting their personal choices in sounds, smells or smokes so lavishly that they permeate the living quarters of those around them are inconsiderate jerks, IMO. I don’t wish them dead even on the internet, but I don’t think it’s being a Delicate Snowflake to recognize that they’re acting like jerks. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/70 "2010-03-09T03:06:37Z")
How come nobody ever complains about marijuana smoke ? Is that a problem for you **Sapo**? ---
**Author:** ![Condescending\_Robot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a183cd/32.png) [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/71 "2010-03-09T03:15:35Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > If somebody is _constantly_ smoking so close to a neighbor’s windows that the smoke gets into the neighbor’s house, though, he’s making his smoking the neighbor’s business. > > Same for people who are constantly burning incense or cooking smoky/stinky food or using perfumes or home deodorizers, or playing loud music or TV or yelling, to such an extent that the neighbors are constantly getting the effects of it in their own homes. > > **Occasionally** being a nuisance to the neighbors is just part of the give and take of community life, but people who are **constantly** broadcasting their personal choices in sounds, smells or smokes so lavishly that they permeate the living quarters of those around them are inconsiderate jerks, IMO. I don’t wish them dead even on the internet, but I don’t think it’s being a Delicate Snowflake to recognize that they’re acting like jerks. Of course, there is no way he is smelling smoke through the natural elements and a wall; this is just an insane sociopath finding a reason to either diagnose himself with secondhand Morgellon’s disease or some other nonsense, or looking for an excuse to get loaded and start a fight with the neighbor. I have absolutely no sympathy for people whose antisocial delusions actually take over their sensory apparatus. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/72 "2010-03-09T04:07:08Z")
> [@Condescending Robot](#): > > Of course, there is no way he is smelling smoke through the natural elements and a wall Of course not, but the OP clearly said in post #9 that the smoke is coming through the windows. And cigarette smoke can indeed be pretty pervasive. Sure, the OP **might** be lying or delusional about that, but for purposes of argument I’m proceeding on the assumption that his description of the facts of the case is reasonably accurate. You could argue that he should just shut his own windows to keep the smoke out. But personally I think it would be kind of jerkish to expect someone to make a **habitual** change in his own living habits _in his own home_ just to accommodate a neighbor’s constant spraying of pollutants into the atmosphere. I shouldn’t have to wear earplugs all the time in my own living room to avoid hearing my neighbor’s TV, and I shouldn’t have to keep my windows closed all the time inside my own house to avoid breathing my neighbor’s smoke. Once in a while isn’t a problem, but all the time is a burden. > [@Condescending Robot](#): > > this is just an insane sociopath […] looking for an excuse to get loaded and start a fight with the neighbor. Actually, the OP has been saying pretty consistently that he’s not interested in starting any trouble with the marathon-smoker neighbor IRL, and that he recognizes the neighbor is legally entitled to marathon-smoke on his own front porch. He’s just venting here on the intertubes about being constantly bothered by cigarette smoke. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/73 "2010-03-09T06:29:26Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > C’mon. He is in HIS house. He can do what he wants. It would be ridiculous of me to choose for him the places in his house where he can smoke. I just smile and wave at him when we see each other taking out the trash at night and politely ask about his kids when we meet at the school waiting for them. And then come to my computer and wish him dead on the internet. It might not be the most orthodox of social lubrications but whatever works, right? 😃 Man, you crack me up. I love your posts. And this is going to sound way ridiculous out of context like this, but I’m going to say it anyway. I think of your posts often. I’m sure there are gracious and polite ways to see if he might be amenable to creating a better situation for you both. Or barring that, ways to make the situation more tolerable from your side. It sounds like you’re putting that lubrication where the sun don’t shine. But yeah, whatever works. Just don’t bend over too much. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/74 "2010-03-09T06:47:36Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > The he go under the wheels of my hulking SUV. Was that not clear? > … Holy crap, do you live in Florida? Some guy who left the hospital to have a smoke (and for some unknown reason crossed the street) got run over and killed by an SUV. Was that you in the SUV? ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/75 "2010-03-09T10:57:01Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > Holy crap, do you live in Florida? Some guy who left the hospital to have a smoke (and for some unknown reason crossed the street) got run over and killed by an SUV. Was that you in the SUV? He was probably told he couldn’t stand on that side because it was hospital property, and for health and safety reasons he would have to cross the street… and then along came **Sapo** , all fired up, and looking to test his vehicle’s suspension. ---
**Author:** ![SecretaryofEvil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SecretaryofEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecretaryofEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/76 "2010-03-09T11:14:03Z")
Am I the only one who thinks Sapo presents himself as an annoying weakling in this thread? Sapo, exactly how much time do you spend impotently wishing death on people? You sissy anti-smoking fascists are all clearly just jealous of how cool and grown up I look. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/77 "2010-03-09T12:24:55Z")
I’m having trouble seeing how this is happening now! I can picture the guy sat on his porch nonchalantly, almost callously, lighting another dreaded weedstick, with an evil smirk on his face, but even if he was deliberately blowing it towards the open window - an admirable feat in itself, for someone with smoker’s lungs - is **Sapo** balancing on a stool at the window, snorting in the offending fumes? ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/78 "2010-03-09T13:50:22Z")
> [@BigBertha](#): > > lol > is that like chutes and ladders? …quickly rolls initiative. Declagito, ergo sum. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/79 "2010-03-09T14:49:35Z")
> [@](#): > > he should just shut his own windows to keep the smoke out. This is exactly what he should do. If you don’t like the smell of what your neighbours are cooking for dinner, you get to close your windows. You do not get to tell them what they can or cannot do in their own home. This includes, smoking, burning incense, having a fire pit, etc. Your being a delicate flower doesn’t give you the right to tell others how to live (outside of that which is illegal) in their own homes, yards, porches. Take your delicate flower self off to the country where you can live without your neighbours, sounds, smells etc impinging on your enjoyment. If you want to live cheek to jowl in an urban neighbourhood, than suck it up. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612/80 "2010-03-09T15:08:07Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > This is exactly what he should do. If you don’t like the smell of what your neighbours are cooking for dinner, you get to close your windows. You do not get to tell them what they can or cannot do in their own home. This includes, smoking, burning incense, having a fire pit, etc. > > Your being a delicate flower doesn’t give you the right to tell others how to live (outside of that which is illegal) in their own homes, yards, porches. I don’t think the burden of adjustment ought to fall **only** on the people on the receiving end, though. Sure, putting up with nuisance neighbors is a crucial part of successfully managing urban life, but so is not **being** a nuisance neighbor in the first place. We have noise ordinances precisely because we don’t think it’s fair that people should be able to be as loud as they like irrespective of how disruptive it is to the neighbors. And if similar disruption from stink and smoke becomes a chronic problem, we’ll just wind up with similar stink and smoke ordinances. Like I said, I’m all in favor of graciously putting up with neighbors’ excessive spewing of sounds or smokes or smells into one’s own living quarters if it happens just once in a while. But if it’s **constantly** happening so that I constantly have to live behind barriers in my own home to avoid their intrusive pollutants, then they’re being inconsiderate jerks. Especially if their attitude about their intrusive spewing is “Tough shit you delicate flower, either suck it up or move”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decided-smokers-are-not-people/531612.md?page=5)