Never thought I’d see the day that I’d be sticking up for smokers.
I hate it. I wish everyone would quit. It’s a vile habit. But where does it stop? There are externalities (costs borne by those not engaging the the behavior) for a lot of vices, including drinking, overeating, gambling, various sexual activities, etc. Chances are we all engage in at least one of those things.
Seems to me that the solution is to have those with the vice be as courteous as possible, and for those without the vice to be reasonably tolerant.
I’ve addressed that elsewhere. In many places, there are now establishments that are either totally non-smoking, or have a smoking section that is well segregated from non-smoking.
Business owners should be allowed to decide what kind of business they want to run, and they in fact have a legal right to do so, in the absence of draconian “smoke out” laws. Nobody is forced to patronize a business that caters to smokers.
Most work environments are now smoke free. It is relatively easy to choose a job that will provide as smoke free work environment.
As for having to walk past smokers going into a building–big deal, it takes a second. I’m an asthmatic, and I hold my breath for that second if necessary. Absolutely no big deal. If I have to stand outside a restaurant to wait for a table, and people are smoking, I move a few feet away. It’s no hardship. I’ve said this in previous posts.
In mixed smoking optional environments, people have the option to either ask the smoker to put it out (which often works) or to move away from the smoker. Or to not frequent establishments and events where smoking is optional.
I’m curious–where is it that you are forced to go and suffer through secondhand smoke?
Oh really? Well, the idea that “we get what’s popular” is the basis of our entire economy in this country. Not to mention our government. While some of us may not always like what the majority decides, nobody has yet been able to think up a better system. It’s worked pretty well for over 200 years.
As for what’s traditional–one of the most basic traditions in this country is “freedom of choice.” I’m not wary of defending that to a reasonable degree. I think it’s reasonable to let smokers have their segregated corner (and at this point, it is just a corner) of society.
Ellis Dee is apparently away from this thread, but I invite anyone else to take on post 129 in his/her absence.
You feel sorry for people who know people with prescriptions? You must feel bad a lot. That was just the second thing I thought of for the argument that cars are more useful than cigarettes; an argument whose existance, I fear, will give me an aneurism if it requires any most posts.
I’d love to hear more of this hypothesis that people who blow nasty stenches out of their mouths must be jerks trying to intimidate other people.
Because where I am, the smokers are inside in the climate controlled breakroom. I have to take my breaks in my car to escape the smoke. In restaurants here the difference in the smoking area and the non-smoking areas is whether there is an ashtray on the table. The only way to escape the smoke is to sit in my car or as the statement about the smoker huddled far away. Same result different reasons.
Maybe “I” need to move. Where are these places that have moved all the smokers outside even in bars and restaurants? Of course, I need to be in the US, TDN ya wanna trade houses?
I will say, I know some smokers that are incredibly inconsiderate. I understand that in a spirited conversation that cigarettes will get waved around and try to just wave the smoke out of my way and I try to sit up-wind of the smokers. I have friends that will chastise other smokers for being inconsiderate. Maybe here in the South the smokers are slower to change their smoking habits as we are about changing our other issues.
And I do know people who are unrepentant about smoking and have no interest in quitting. (someone said earlier that all smokers regretted smoking)
I just wish I didn’t have to breathe in all that smoke and stench everytime I leave my home and car.
Aha! So if that switched around, if break areas and restaurants went smoke-free and smokers were accustomed to stepping outside for a puff, you’d notice the difference, right? You’d notice and appreciate the change if instead of blowing smoke directly at you, smokers politely asked permission to light up?
I think that is my point. Most of us want nothing more than for you folks to decide where that place is so that we can go there in peace and not hear about it anymore.
How about not near me? Is that too specific for you? Non-smokers don’t want to be near your smoke. I’m not sure why that’s so hard. If you have a designated area, cool. However, if you’re stuck in a close room, maybe you could not do it there. Common sense, sans self-righteousness, should be your guide.
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.
Nope, not specific enough. But what it lacks in specificity it makes up for in snarkiness and whininess. Making me think you’re not really serious in wanting to offer constructive ideas.
When did it become my job to come up with ideas about how to accommodate your addiction? Isn’t that YOUR problem?
The vast majority of my friends are smokers and I never have a problem with them. Never. 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).
I don’t understand why you are being so damn defensive. Smoke in designated areas only. Don’t smoke in enclosed spaces unless everyone around you is OK with it. Don’t smoke smack in the middle of a thoroughfare that people have ot pass through, like doorways to hospitals. That would cover the “don’t smoke near me” clause. It’s not that hard. The people I’m talking about wouldn’t move 5 feet or open a window. They were being assholes. If you wouldn’t do that, then no one is talking about you, so don’t act like you have a guilty conscience.
If you live in a state, or country where smoking is still popular and permitted everywhere, I feel bad for you.
But what I see, are these total anti-smoking fascist fucks who go out of their way to piss all over smokers.
I went to Disney Land about a year ago, and the whole park is one big, no-smoking area, except for a couple few little spots that are out of the way, and you have to pretty much actively search them out.
Every damn time I went into one of those areas, some self absorbed, overweight soccer mom would waddle in there pushing her 10th child’s baby carriage, followed by all her other brats, and start bitching about the inconsiderate smokers. These people will seek you out, no matter where you try to hide.
You name the place, designate it a smoking area, and sure enough, some anti-smoker is going to immediately sniff it out, go there and start bitching about how smokers are trying to kill them.
They’re like spoiled little children who have everything, they don’t give a shit, all they’re concerned about is there’s a kid somewhere with something they don’t got, and they absolutely must have that thing.
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.
