Are people too hard on smokers?

[Joel Soh]

From my experiences, many smokers are actually great, outgoing and fun people. Sure, they damage themselves and the people around them but I feel hate is too strong.

It does make me wonder why cigarettes are legal (probably the tax on them) and why they don't change what's in them to be... non-fatal over the long term?

 

[Daddy Go Bot]

I think smokers are generally quite polite. Always askin' me if mind them having a smoke n shit.

 

[Herbsk]

To those who won't ever consider be-friending a person who smokes/does drugs does this mean that if Carl Sagan/Bob Dylan/Paul McCartney/Michael Phelps/Barrack Obama ever came up to you and asked if you wanted to hang out that you would say no? Would you consider them stupid?

Considering the amount of damage smoking can do to your lungs and your ability to be an athlete - I sincerely doubt Michael Phelps is that much of a chain smoker - I just wanted to mention that because he doesn't exactly fit the profile or the person that some people avoid for constantly smoking (and smelling like it)

 

[Akytalusia]

not hard enough, i'd say. tobacco's gotta be the most pointless drug in existance considering it's cost/benefit ratio, aside from that new russian one that eats you; forgot what that was called. it just needs to be left behind as a tar stain on our long history of mistakes.

 

[USSR]

Second hand smoke is all that really, and I mean REALLY, pisses me off.
If you wish to smoke and private, I have no problem with you o:

 

[peruvianskys]

Mostly I hate smoking because it's giving money to giant multinational corporations run by executives who buy mansions solely with the money they've been paid TO KILL YOU. When hundreds of thousands of people die every year from cigarette-related illnesses, it is irresponsible and indulgent to continue the habit. Especially because most young people who smoke around here are hipsters who will talk about how terrible capitalism is while literally paying thousands a year for cancer-causing chemicals that they know will shorten their lives. If you want to kill yourself, at least have the decency to not pay for the advertising, consumer research, and development of the products that are going to kill the next generation too. Tobacco is a death industry and the people who willingly pump money into that machine are irresponsible and careless. I wouldn't rag on some old man who's been smoking since the 40's when it was supposed to be good for you, but every time I see another rich white boy here who has enough disposable money to spend hundreds a month killing himself so that hundred can be used to make it easier for others to kill themselves too, I just want to slap him. There's nothing wrong with having a social stigma attached to an unhealthy and selfish habit, especially one that no one these days has any reason to start, what with the effects so obvious.

I love smoking. I really enjoy it. But I'm not gonna convince anyone of that now, am I?

"A cigarette is the perfect type of a perfect pleasure. It is exquisite, and it leaves one unsatisfied. What more can one want?" ~Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

"There's a lot of people who, a cigarette is about the only vacation they have." ~Trey Parker

"Good food, good sex, good digestion, good sleep: to these basic animal pleasures, man has added nothing but the good cigarette" - Mignon McLaughlin

"I used to smoke two packs a day and I just hate being a nonsmoker.... but I will never consider myself a nonsmoker because I always find smokers the most interesting people at the table." ~Michelle Pfeiffer

"To some, the cigarette is a portable therapist." ~Terri Guillemets

I smoke a lot, used to smoke packs but moved onto rollies when the price was raised (living in the UK here). That annoyed me - 6 quid for a pack of smokes is ludicrous. Luckily tobacco itself is really cheap. Puff puff puff.

All I read in these quotes is: It's okay to kill yourself if it's pleasurable, drugs are an acceptable crutch for people with problems, and cigarettes make you interesting. All of these quotes, at least to me, are essentially either products of ignorance (as I'm sure Oscar Wilde didn't know about the fact that cigarette can kill you), indulgent irresponsibility, or the twelve-year old mentality that a roll of poison between your lips makes you the coolest kid around.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

while i absolutely despise the smell, and definitely think in the long run it makes you look worse, and i don't feel like kissing and ash tray, i would never judge a friend just based on the fact that they smoke, sure if they came over to my house i would hope they would respect my area and not smoke, as to when i go into their home and they smoke i respect it right back.


however when it comes to dating? if i even smell smoke on you, forget that, any possibility you ever had with me went right out the window. It's dating, not being friends, I am perfectly within my rights to be picky.

 

[OManoghue]

No, it smells like shit, gets in the way of other people's air and makes our clothes smell like a whorehouse.

 

[LordOmnit]

Then stay away from them- people have similar reactions to dogs, peanut butter and all manner of other things, would you expect people to not walk their dogs in public areas if you were allergic?

Smoking can be good for you in two instances: 1) your assailant/enemy is covered in a flammable substance, 2) there is a trail of gasoline or some other flammable going towards explosives packed around some kind of monster(s).
Your argument about allergies is pretty hard to deflect just because it is so laughably insignificant. Sure, there are plenty of people who are allergic to dogs or other things they don't have to come in contact with, but really? Dogs and peanut butter? Dogs don't need any help from me defending them from all the good they have and continue to do humans, but if it was common enough to be within sight of a problem, don't you think you'd hear about more emergency hospitalizations or sudden deaths from people passing by or near a dog on the street when there is no attacking involved? Or even that, but scaled to fit the huge number of people that smoke compared to walk their dogs in crowded public spaces.
Also, I do try to stay away from them, but it can sometimes be hard when they come to a place I frequent or have to stay in a limited area of and let their cloud of stank squat down over several meters.

there are health risks associated with everything- eating too much, not getting enough exercise, driving, walking and hundreds of other things- why do people still choose to do them? Why do people engage in risky sports?

Y'know, you can drink so much water you can die too.
How many of those other health risks are- psychologically and physically addicting, harmful to those who don't partake in it (driving, of course, exempt because of how cities are built), forced upon those who don't partake in them, and/or advertised to people when they don't fit some of the previous?
The "everything has health risks" thing also doesn't work because smoking doesn't have the opposite- anything good about it. Eating is rather necessary- sure, overeating is no good, but then again any smoking is no good. Not exercising enough is no problem to other people, except on planes or public transportation sometimes. Driving has obvious benefits and walking has different, but as many or more, all mitigating the occasional trip, exploding mailbox, or drop of rain. Risky (sanctioned) sports only carry risk to those who participate or attend them and everyone involved understands that.

As for your point "they're still harming those around them"- Ive already answered that, reread my previous posts.

What, blow smoke in their face? So you are intentionally harming them?

Captcha: face the music

 

[Manwat]

Second-hand smoke is more deadly to the people around you than it is to you.

I'm inhaling and effectively filtering the tar and chemicals through my lungs then exhaling it. How is it more deadly when it comes out again?

---

My 2 cents on the habit

It's a habit. It's bad for you, but alot of things are bad for you. It's not my business telling people what they can and can't do. I enjoy a cigarette every now and then, I enjoy the taste and the smell because just like spinach/cognac/etc some people actually enjoy the taste. I love having a cold beer and a smoke while listening to music, but since smoking laws have removed the option of allowing the owner to run a smoke-easy legally.

But really, when have people been logical about what they will tolerate in a partner? It's personal preferance. Some people mind smokers, some don't. Some smokers are assholes, some aren't.

 

[Schmittler]

I also think people are a bit too harsh on the smokers, while I do not support smokers, I do not believe they should so publicly hated. People argue that they are killing themselves, but are people drinking alcohol and eating fast food not killing themselves, yet I don't see people being as harsh on these people as they do on smokers. I think that the media also has a large role in effecting how people view the topic as well.

That's a very good point, but there are a few differences from my perspective.

For one, smoking seems to have a negative impact regardless. It could be second-hand smoke, bad breath, or faster aging.

Those that drink alcohol aren't always leaving a bad impression. Sure they can be stupid drunks and make a fool of themselves or hurt someone, or they can become alcoholics and lead a terrible life, but just cracking open a bottle of beer does not instantly shy people away like the smell of smoke does.

Same goes for the people that eat fast food. Yeah, the people that definitely don't need the food disgust the general population, but an average every day person can handle the food and not become unhealthy or overweight.

You're definitely right, there is a bias toward smokers, but I think there's a few more reasons behind it than the fact that people are harming their own body. I think second hand smoke and other side effects play a large role in the hatred. I don't personally dislike people for doing it, I have several friends that do, but I will honestly say I turn my nose up when they do.

 

[EvilEggCracker]

All I read in these quotes is: It's okay to kill yourself if it's pleasurable, drugs are an acceptable crutch for people with problems, and cigarettes make you interesting.

What you should have read was that people smoke for a reason other than addiction; for a lot of people (myself included) it's pleasure.

 

[ryo02]

my dad used to smoke a pipe then he nearly got some ash in my brothers eyes when he was a baby and never smoked again.

to those who cant smell it or are used to the smell just think burst sewer pipe.

and many have little to no consideration (Im sure some do have consideration just plenty dont) for others considering the about who light up in crowded places and walking down the street or hang out at the entrance to shops etc etc.

 

[peruvianskys]

All I read in these quotes is: It's okay to kill yourself if it's pleasurable, drugs are an acceptable crutch for people with problems, and cigarettes make you interesting.

What you should have read was that people smoke for a reason other than addiction; for a lot of people (myself included) it's pleasure.

I get that, but 1) nicotine is a physically addictive substance, meaning that continued use will result in addiction, and 2) the fact that something's pleasurable doesn't negate its harmful qualities. People should be allowed to smoke because it's your body, do what you want with it. I'm just saying that it shouldn't be socially tolerated. It's like being addicted to porn or being a racist - not in terms of severity at all, but just in the general way people should approach it; just because you have the right to do something doesn't mean people should refuse to have an opinion on it, especially if you do it publicly.

 

[Somniferum]

The "everything has health risks" thing also doesn't work because smoking doesn't have the opposite- anything good about it.

Nicotine greatly enhances and/or compliments the effects of boatloads of other drugs. Especially when smoked, due to the rapid onset. The combination of alcohol and nicotine is what got me smoking in the first place and the "most awesome you will ever feel in your entire life"-feeling, when combined with something else, is what will never let me quit smoking entirely.

 

[MetalDooley]

Yes.Here in Ireland for example we have had a nationwide ban on smoking in public buildings/on public transport/in any building designated a workplace for about a decade now.Cigarettes are pretty expensive and constantly increasing in price(there was another price increase about 2 weeks ago).Yet that's not enough for some people.There's people constantly lobbying the government to introduce even more restrictions or even ban cigarettes outright(yeah cos that's worked for alcohol and drugs in the past)and calling for massive price hikes.Sometimes I just wish these people would piss off and worry about their own shit

 

[Darknacht]

Yes.Here in Ireland for example we have had a nationwide ban on smoking in public buildings/on public transport/in any building designated a workplace for about a decade now.Cigarettes are pretty expensive and constantly increasing in price(there was another price increase about 2 weeks ago).Yet that's not enough for some people.There's people constantly lobbying the government to introduce even more restrictions or even ban cigarettes outright(yeah cos that's worked for alcohol and drugs in the past)and calling for massive price hikes.Sometimes I just wish these people would piss off and worry about their own shit

Hey if you have to tax something tax cigarettes.
I can't wait until we get a full public ban in the US, or at least in my state. Smoking in public should be illegal for the same reason wandering around throwing draino in people's faces is illegal.

 

[Saelune]

Why you cant be too harsh on smokers (short of physically assaulting them)
They chose to be stupid.
They can choose to quit (then I turn from harsh to supportive)
It affects those around them (if it was just them Id not care)

Smokers do not deserve rights (as far as smoking that is) Its harmful to others. Its kinda why drinking and driving is illegal, why assault is illegal, and why murder is illegal.

Unless someone tied them down and forced cigarrettes into their mouth, they chose to smoke. I should not suffer because others make poor choices.

They can quit. I understand its not easy, but merely showing a desire to quit is enough for me to become supportive. I cant hate smokers and then not aid quitters, now can I?

They want the right to smoke wherever? Well I want the right to breathe. (And before I get the whole pollution and cars speal, dont assume you think I am ok with that, and regardless, why does the existance of one bad thing mean we should allow all bad things?)

 

[LordOmnit]

Nicotine greatly enhances and/or compliments the effects of boatloads of other drugs. Especially when smoked, due to the rapid onset. The combination of alcohol and nicotine is what got me smoking in the first place and the "most awesome you will ever feel in your entire life"-feeling, when combined with something else, is what will never let me quit smoking entirely.

Smoking helps other harmful chemicals mess with your system more. Great. Honestly, that's not a good thing. I had a whole, huge spiel about it as well, but it was pretty self-centered, so I'ma be brief here. If that's how you or anyone set the standard for all the wonderful things in the world you could experience, you need to get out and do something else. For me, a sense of achievement is the best, but other things that aren't the result of external chemicals are the best I will feel in the world.

 

[EvilEggCracker]

I think smokers and non-smokers should be segregated (like apartheid!), that way all us cool dudes can have loads of hedonistic fun (be honest, smokers tend to be funner people) and the non-smokers can be all square. If we don't seperate each other, all the non-smokers will be forced to mind our coats in the bar (while we go out smoke, chat and have fun) and I don't want a non-smoker going through my change.