# I Pit "I'm Sick Of The Smoke" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 8, 2005, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196 "2005-08-08T22:03:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2005, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/161 "2005-08-10T23:36:17Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Doesn’t matter where you put a smoking area, all the anti-smokers will immediately find that to be the most desirable place ever, and kick the smokers out. Exaggerate much? Anyone who tries to tell you not to smoke in a clearly marked designated smoking area is being a jerk, just as people who deliberately smoke around people who can’t tolerate it in non-designated areas are jerks. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/162 "2005-08-11T00:04:28Z")
> [@Rubystreak](#): > > Exaggerate much? Not much. Not in my experience. I’ve seen it. It’s like the smokers are the “cool kids” and the anti-smokers are the “uncool kids.” The uncool kids can’t stand the cool kids having a place they can’t be, so they go there, make it uncool, and the cool kids move to another place. The uncool kids can’t stand that, so they follow the cool kids, etc, etc. Again, I’ve seen it. The anti-smokers (the uncool kids) don’t like smoking in the building. The smokers (the cool kids) move it outside the door. The uncool kids suddenly decide they like hanging out by the door. Even though it’s raining and freezing outside and they’ve never had any inclination to hang outside before. So the smokers now have to move “50’ from any building entrance.” The uncool kids suddenly feel that spot, “50’ from any building entrance” is like, the coolest place ever, and they want to hang out there. Even though it’s raining and freezing outside. The anti-smokers will follow you wherever you go, complaining about their god-given constitutional right to not be subjected to your smoke. ---
**Author:** ![joazito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@joazito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joazito)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/163 "2005-08-11T01:03:30Z")
That’s not quite right. As someone who has complained about someone smoking in designated areas, I can tell you that we only do that when we have no ideia it was allowed. For instance, I complained about someone smoking at a MacDonald’s, and it was pointed out to me that I was in a smoking section, the non-smoking was downstairs. I realised my mistake (I had never been to a macdonald’s where you could smoke, I just assumed they were all like that) and hastily moved downstairs. I’m guessing something similar happens in the occasions where you say non-smokers will follow you everywhere you go. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/164 "2005-08-11T01:21:48Z")
> [@Rubystreak](#): > > When did it become my job to come up with ideas about how to accommodate your addiction? Isn’t that YOUR problem?.. Nope. Not as long as it is legal. It is, sorry to say, societies burden to decide where the acceptable places to consume legal substances are. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/165 "2005-08-11T01:26:26Z")
I see several replies to my post. I’ll try to address them all. > [@JThunder](#): > > Smoking poses a hazard to innocent bystanders. Non-smoking does not. Why should the innocent bystanders sacrifice their comfort for the sake of the smoker? The health impact from smoking is measured in pack years. That means that until you smoke at least 365 packs, there is no measurable risk. For the math-impaired, that’s 7300 full cigarettes. To claim that second-hand smoke in modern society is a health risk is asinine. Secondhand smoke is a health risk when you share an apartment with a smoker for years. Or when you work as a flight attendent on a smoking airline. Or work in a smoking bar for years. In other words, if you don’t remain in close proximity to smoke every day, all day, then whining about secondhand smoke makes you either a fucking moron, or a whiny little bitch. > [@Troy McClure](#): > > The smoker is creating the goddamn problem. Clean, reasonably pleasant air is the fucking default; the status quo; the way it’s supposed to fucking be. The smoker is the one who stinks everything up. What the hell? Should I be able to hop on a bus and start yelling for five minutes and then pit the people who told me to shut up for being a bunch of pussies?! > > I’m sorry, the fact that you think everyone should arrange their day around your smelly ass leaves little to doubt that you are tremendously self-absorbed, approaching the point of unbeleivability and this is all a pathetic, bitter defensive kneejerk for the fact that you got your fool self addicted to cigarettes. You’re not very bright, are you? Your righteous indignation is being levied at smokers smoking in designated smoking areas. You understand that this makes you mentally deficient, right? The only alternative to you being a complete imbecile is if you are saying that _there should not be any designated smoking areas_. That would make you a flaming asshole. So, which are you? I have my suspicions… > [@Futile Gesture](#): > > When I’ve finished a meal I like to give a rousing rendition of “Food Glorious Food”, eight times. The last version I do it human beatbox stylee that sometimes gets a bit spitty, and around the middle I do a Norwegian death metal version that I force everyone (no exceptions) to join in with. You could say I’m addicted to it. I do the same with other show tunes as the occasion demands it. Well, the day you get a singing section, have at it. I eat at places with a smoking section. So what’s your point? Do you even have one? > [@](#): > > If there are any public or work places that don’t provide this, well I’m just going to have to do it where ever I like. Well, that would indeed make you an asshole. > [@tdn](#): > > **Ellis Dee** ’s repugnamt views How the fuck is wanting to smoke in a smoking section a repugnant view? ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/166 "2005-08-11T01:32:19Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > Nope. Not as long as it is legal. It is, sorry to say, societies burden to decide where the acceptable places to consume legal substances are. You’re bitching because you (the plural you, smokers) have to stand outside to smoke when the rest of us “get to” stay indoors for our breaks. That’s not society’s problem, it’s yours. When you smoke in a bus shelter, and people get pissed and make you stand in the rain, who’s being a big pussy and whining about his rights? My right not to stink like your addiction trumps your right to poison yourself, I think. **Ellis Dee** , maybe it’s not a health risk to be saturated in another person’s smoke, but it sure does smell bad, it makes my nose close up, and it’s pretty disgusting for a non-smoker. You can say I’m being a pussy about it, but I don’t want my clothes and hair to smell like tobacco all day. I think that’s my right. After all, if I sprayed you with an equally foul smelling substance against your will, forcing you to have your coat dry cleaned to get it out, I’m guessing you’d bitch about it. Unless you’re just a saint in every other aspect of life besides this. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/167 "2005-08-11T01:46:21Z")
> [@Ellis Dee](#): > > Your righteous indignation is being levied at smokers smoking in designated smoking areas. You understand that this makes you mentally deficient, right? No, my words are directly at the jerk who suggests _everywhere_ should be a smoking section- > [@Ellis Dee](#): > > I consider it rude for a person to ask a smoker to not smoke in a place they are allowed to smoke. They are essentially saying that since you both can’t be comfortable, the smoker should be the one to sacrifice their comfort. That’s rude. Here’s an idea: how about the nonsmoker stand outside for the duration of the smoke, and leave the smoker in peace? Again, it’s because the smoker is the one, y’know, smoking. Now that we’ve cleared up that misunderstanding, care to respond to any of my points? Or hell, skip mine, just answer **Rubystreak** ’s question: > [@](#): > > When did it become my job to come up with ideas about how to accommodate your addiction? …oh, and just because it’s legal doesn’t mean you’re not a jerk for doing it. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/168 "2005-08-11T01:50:42Z")
> [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > Because the way you live \*\*your life makes things smell bad \*\* and triggers allegeries in some people and **annoys the shit out of a lot of the rest,** yet you get bent out of shape when someone calls you on being a douche about it. The middle, nonbolded part, can be used in an argument about this. The bolded parts make you a douche. First, you demonstrate the famous:\* Eeewww! That’s icky! You can’t do it because I say so! I want to enjoy the smells of all the other pollution available to me! (Including the smell of my car’s exhaust to walking passengers downtown).\* Second: Do you really want to bring in the argument something is bad because it annoys you? Are you that fucking special that we bend to your will even when it doesn’t affect you? You annoy me. I deal with it. Hell, this thread is raising my blood pressure more than a smoke. Stop killing me! On second thought, I retract my assertion of you being a douche. For you see, a douche has always enhanced and made more enjoyable the ambience of… well, you get the point. A douche is never a bad thing for the nose. I’d more equate you to a crack-whore’s syphilitic unwashed ass-crack. Now go wash yourself, you’re offending me. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Updike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@Updike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Updike)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/169 "2005-08-11T01:53:01Z")
> [@Rubystreak](#): > > It’s just random people being inconsiderate that bug me, and that unfortunate incident with my friend’s mom (she was being irrational, even her daughter admitted that). Hang on there. You’re trying to control what someone does in her own house–smoke, not smoke, open windows, close windows, dance naked in the parlor, whatever, and she’s being irrational? IT’S HER HOUSE. In some locales, that’s the only place she CAN smoke. There’s comes a point when you just ought to leave people be. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/170 "2005-08-11T02:22:36Z")
> [@Rubystreak](#): > > You’re bitching because you (the plural you, smokers) have to stand outside to smoke when the rest of us “get to” stay indoors for our breaks… 100% wrong. So sorry. I (the plural I) will gladly use my completely legal consumer product (that generates massive income for the state) anywhere you fainting fucking little lilacs will allow me to do so and not have to listen to your everlasting bitching. Pick a place and I will go with it. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/171 "2005-08-11T02:23:13Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > On a more serious note, I do need some help from the non-smokers. You see, I really do try very hard to not offend anyone with my legal addiction that generates massive amounts of revenue for the state. The problem is that I can’t always tell who the non smokers are that I might offend by smoking outside where you might, if you are really trying, catch the faintest whiff of the smoke. To that end, what would really help me and all of the other smokers out would be if you guys could somehow do something to identify yourself as one of the potentially offended. Perhaps wear a bit dildo on your heads, or perhaps use a toilette plunger as a hat. I think that something like that could really do a lot to help us all to get along. You know, I was trying to be nice and assuming that the smokers in this thread are not the smokers I see IRL. I am clearly incorrect. Fuck you. > [@Ellis Dee](#): > > To claim that second-hand smoke in modern society is a health risk is asinine. Secondhand smoke is a health risk when you share an apartment with a smoker for years. Or when you work as a flight attendent on a smoking airline. Or work in a smoking bar for years. In other words, if you don’t remain in close proximity to smoke every day, all day, then whining about secondhand smoke makes you either a fucking moron, or a whiny little bitch. Or, you know, if you already HAVE lung disease, like asthma, which according to some stats afflicts 5% of the American population. In fact, asthma.ca lists exposure to tobacco smoke as a risk factor in developing asthma, as many people can attest firsthand: I never had generalized asthma (only exercise-induced) until I began to hang out in smoky bars. Even though I no longer do so, my lungs are much more sensitive than they were before to cold weather, hot weather, dust etc. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/172 "2005-08-11T03:00:44Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > 100% wrong. So sorry. I (the plural I) will gladly use my completely legal consumer product (that generates massive income for the state) anywhere you fainting fucking little lilacs will allow me to do so and not have to listen to your everlasting bitching. Pick a place and I will go with it. Read back on this thread. I believe \*\*calm kiwi \*\* and \*\*Queen Tonya \*\* were whining about how smokers have to stand outside. That’s why I said “plural you” because knew that wasn’t your specific bitch. I think you and I pretty much agree that designated smoking areas should be OK for smoking and enclosed spaces shouldn’t. But your insistence that people who don’t want to breathe your rancid smoke are wilting violets is just bullshit, and you know it. It’s you being defensive. You know why people want to avoid the smoke and you’re pissed that your bad habit is making you uncomfortable. If you don’t like it, quit. That’s all can tell you, because things aren’t going to get easier for you, nor should they. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/173 "2005-08-11T03:04:13Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > It’s like the smokers are the “cool kids” and the anti-smokers are the “uncool kids.” The uncool kids can’t stand the cool kids having a place they can’t be, so they go there, make it uncool, and the cool kids move to another place. The uncool kids can’t stand that, so they follow the cool kids, etc, etc. I’ve got to admit this is true. I’ve secretly always been envious of how cool smokers are. In fact, they positively [radiate cool](http://www.clauss.dk/Billeder/Cuba/Old_cigar_smoker_from_Havana.jpg). Maybe it’s the [neat accessories](http://acclaimimages.com/_gallery/_SM/0041-0502-0507-4950_SM.jpg). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/174 "2005-08-11T03:12:54Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > I (the plural I) will gladly use my completely legal consumer product (that generates massive income for the state) … You keep harping about the fact that smoking is legal, and that tobacco sales generate “massive income” (_sic_) for the state. Well, guess what? Something may be legal, but that doesn’t make it right. It is perfectly legal to walk up and down the street, carring a placard that says “Smokers are ignorant, inconsiderate morons. They probably molest children and eat babies.” That wouldn’t make it right. And what about the income that your habit generates for the state? If you’re going to proudly trumpet that, then perhaps we should also talk about [the huge financial strain that tobacco places on the health care system](http://www.mit.edu/people/jeffrey/House_Testimony_Nov_1993.html)–amounting to billions of dollars in both the USA and Canada per year. What about such problems as employee absenteeism, reduced worker productivity, fire damage and lost income due to premature death? Yeah, go ahead. Let’s trumpet the tremendous financial benefits that smoking confers to your state, while keeping silent about all the damage that it causes to society. After all, why should the facts get in the way of a good sound bite? ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/175 "2005-08-11T03:13:17Z")
As long as lung cancer is being brought up (not sure how this all deals with the OP, but rabid anti-smoker-gimme-the-tax-money-but-don’t-use-the-product types like to mention it), how long till you rail against and legislate [radon?](http://www.epa.gov/radon/) ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/176 "2005-08-11T03:19:40Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > As long as lung cancer is being brought up (not sure how this all deals with the OP, but rabid anti-smoker-gimme-the-tax-money-but-don’t-use-the-product types like to mention it), how long till you rail against and legislate [radon?](http://www.epa.gov/radon/) In NYS, you have to get your house tested for it, and if it’s above 4.0, you have to remediate. The seller has to disclose this when showing the house, and remediation for radon is often expensive and complicated. I’m not sure how this is anything short of a totally irrelevant topic WRT the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/177 "2005-08-11T03:22:32Z")
> [@](#): > > First, you demonstrate the famous:\* Eeewww! That’s icky! You can’t do it because I say so! I want to enjoy the smells of all the other pollution available to me! (Including the smell of my car’s exhaust to walking passengers downtown).\* You missed the part where there’s a difference between car exhaust- an unfortunate byproduct of an essential tool, and cigarette smoke, an unfortunate byproduct of an addition with little benefit to society and even less to the user. > [@](#): > > Are you that fucking special that we bend to your will even when it doesn’t affect you? You missed the part where it does affect people. > [@](#): > > On second thought, I retract my assertion of you being a douche. For you see, a douche has always enhanced and made more enjoyable the ambience of… well, you get the point. A douche is never a bad thing for the nose. I’ll give you this; it’s pretty funny. > [@](#): > > I’d more equate you to a crack-whore’s syphilitic unwashed ass-crack. Well, you’d better get your head outta there, because you’re really missing a lot of the thread. Same goes for you putzes who keep repeating the same thing over and over without addressing the various times they’ve been addressed. To borrow a line from SDMB lore, “life is not like Beetlejuice. Repeating things do not make them true.” ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/178 "2005-08-11T03:28:49Z")
> [@Rubystreak](#): > > Read back on this thread. I believe \*\*calm kiwi \*\* and \*\*Queen Tonya \*\* were whining about how smokers have to stand outside. Mostly we were whining about folks that act snotty towards smokers standing outside, actually. I don’t believe our **kiwi** had issues so much with going outside as with the dirty looks and snide remarks coworkers toss at her while she’s peacefully standing outside in the designated smoking area. Just reiterating, it’s not the having to act like a leper, it’s the accepting the leper role and still getting shit for it, 'kay? Not that one can legislate against acting snotty or making snide remarks, naturally. Nor are we suggesting anything remotely like that. Inconsiderate and rude behavior sucketh, regardless of who’s perpetrating it. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/179 "2005-08-11T03:35:12Z")
> [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > > [@Ellis Dee](#): > > > > I consider it rude for a person to ask a smoker to not smoke in a **place they are allowed to smoke**. They are essentially saying that since you both can’t be comfortable, the smoker should be the one to sacrifice their comfort. That’s rude. > > The smoker is creating the goddamn problem. Clean, reasonably pleasant air is the fucking default; the status quo; the way it’s supposed to fucking be. The smoker is the one who stinks everything up. What the hell? Should I be able to hop on a bus and start yelling for five minutes and then pit the people who told me to shut up for being a bunch of pussies?! > > I’m sorry, the fact that you think everyone should arrange their day around your smelly ass leaves little to doubt that you are tremendously self-absorbed, approaching the point of unbeleivability and this is all a pathetic, bitter defensive kneejerk for the fact that you got your fool self addicted to cigarettes. > [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > > [@Ellis Dee](#): > > > > Your righteous indignation is being levied at smokers smoking in designated smoking areas. You understand that this makes you mentally deficient, right? > > No, my words are directly at the jerk who suggests everywhere should be a smoking section- Hey dumbass, your words are directly at the guy who said he wanted to smoke “in a place they are allowed to smoke”. I bolded it for you to help penetrate your thick skull. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196/180 "2005-08-11T03:40:09Z")
> [@Ellis Dee](#): > > Hey dumbass, your words are directly at the guy who said he wanted to smoke “in a place they are allowed to smoke”. I bolded it for you to help penetrate your thick skull. Crap. You’re completely right. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-im-sick-of-the-smoke/316196.md?page=10)