beginning to think there's more smokers than non-smokers

Anyone else feel this way? I even over heard someone say they were surprised how many there are in Toronto (they aren't from here). It seems like half the people I see as I wait for the bus to work are smoking. At the bar this Saturday for a bday party, nearly the whole group of people were smoking (we were on the patio). I still smell it. I would say at least half my co-workers smoke (my boss doesn't even say have a 'break', it's 'smoke break'). Heck most of my friends the last couple years are smokers. What gives? Are more people getting hooked on them?

Oh yeah I remember walking down one of the main streets in the spring, and the sidewalk that was covered by snowbanks was now covered by old cigarette butts...so gross.

I don't mean to offend any smokers (do you guys even get offended by us non-smokers complaining?!?)...but why are there so many of you -.-

One example.....I live in a neighborhood. When my neighbor who smokes, sits out on her patio, it breezes right over to us on our patio. We hate the smell and the fact that it happens. Do I call her and tell her to stop smoking on her own patio because it is bothering me? No. Do I think its a shame that I have to herd the kids somewhere else until she's done smoking? Yes. Do I think less of her as a person? No.

I have a problem with inconsiderate smokers. Those who light up right around my kids and/or myself. Its a free country. Smoke if you want, just not around me. I know that addiction can be so hard to conquer.

You know, a thought just occured to me...I'm totally not trying to disrupt the thread.  It was just a thought.

I wonder how many people who are so adamantly anti-smokers would be ok with marijuana getting legalized.  Would it bother most of the same people if their neighbor was out on her porch firin' up a dooby and wafting it in their direction?  Probably a discussion better left to another thread.  It was just a random thought.

Can't say that I would be much of a supporter of that either......depending. However, I agree, that is a discussion for another thread!

Not starting a thread on that one.  Heaven knows how crazy it would get in there.  I did post it in my journal, however.

Nevermind the interruption.  Please proceed with your OP's discussion.

Original Post by lulufit:

you guys are just being ignorant and following the no-smoke croud!

You have got to be kidding me. I didn't know that caring for my health and that of my children was ignorant, or following a "crowd". But if it is, then I'll join that crowd.

And last I heard, alot of the  new cars are being designed to try to make them more enviornmentally friendly and to cause less pollution.

 You should stay away from the street!  There are cars there!  Ignorant becuase if someone is smoking outside your children's health is NOT going to be affected if they happen to pass by someone smoking!  Passive smoke problems only occur if done repeadedly in small enclosed spaces..... and THAT is few and far between.  Mostly it takes years of smoking to cause damage for the person who inhales the smoke.  I wouldn't want my children to smoke, but going overboard is ridiculous... including being around germs, etc.  They found out that these anti-bacterial soaps are actually causing more harm than good.

oh - and don't go in the sun!!!!  Oh yeah - it's ok now.  People go overboard with smoking.

PS - Marijuana is more harmful than smoke....  and I would vote to legalize it.  I hate nanny govmts. 

Original Post by peaches0405:

You know, a thought just occured to me...I'm totally not trying to disrupt the thread. It was just a thought.

I wonder how many people who are so adamantly anti-smokers would be ok with marijuana getting legalized. Would it bother most of the same people if their neighbor was out on her porch firin' up a dooby and wafting it in their direction? Probably a discussion better left to another thread. It was just a random thought.

I hate the smell of it too, so I wouldn't want it wafting near me either :)

I am no smoking nazi, I just feel bad for them health wise, and a little ticked that some have perfect skin and hair (while I don't haha...though I'm sure time will change that...). I don't really care if there are smokers around, I just hate when I'm stuck in an enclosed space like someone's apartment/car, or I'm right in the wind direction of smoke. I got the impression that some people appeared offended that I will move away from them, like I shouldn't make such a big deal out of it...but usually they apologize and move away when they see me trying to wave it out of my face.

I was mostly just making an observation that there seems to be quite a lot of them.

Well whether people like me or not for this statement..I DO smoke. It's nothing to brag about..but just because someone smokes it doesn't make them a bad person. I do NOT smoke around those who have a problem with it. I live in a home that is all non smokers so I am polite enough to take it outside which I always do. I basically got hooked due to boredom and stress. Everyone has their get away or bad habits..unfortunately mine is smoking. I do need to try to quit though as I am living in NY and the taxes on them are ridiculous where I am originally from in PA it's usually about 4 or 5 dollars a pack here in NY it's about 8.25- 8.45 which is too damn much money. I got a carton here which costed 85 dollars! It's kind of frustrating knowing in PA I could get one for about 45 dollars or under. It's a very expensive habit to have here.  

And you are not alone in not liking the smell my fiance' really wants me to quit, but he knows my reasons. He says he can really smell it on me so I always immediantly once I come in brush my teeth or swish my mouth with listerine and spray perfume on. Haha.

Addiction sucks.

However, when it comes to illegal drugs I have never and will never touch the stuff..I am also not a drinker..only on certain occasions. I never quite understood how cigarettes are legal, when pot isnt even though I have no intentions of touching the stuff I just found it funny since cigs have more health risks.

I am a Smoker and I think that its a choice. Perosonally, If i am around people and i want to have a smoke, i will ask if it is ok with that person, and go to an area where it wont be in their face, I also refuse to smoke around children, they are impressionable, and its not right to subject them to that. I never throw my butts on the ground, I snuff it out and put it in the garbage, or an ash tray. Even though i smoke, i hate walking behind people that smoke, its gross to smell that as you are outside. I do not get offended by non smokers, its their right to not want second hand smoke in their lungs, and who really wants trash all over the streets anyway?

I think that the smokers that are doing the bad things should stop and think why its their right to pollute other peoples lungs and ruin their streets with grabage.

as for Marijuna, Its Also a choice and should only be done in privacy of your home. I suffer from anxiety and depression and when im having an attack sometimes its just relaxing. Its not for everyone and it should be legalized because then it wont be such a hot commodity. There should be an age limit for it, just like cigarettes however and monitored, with laws like no driving under the influence and not in public, just like drinking. Drinking is more harmfull that Marijuana and it always baffeled me as to why its legal as pot is not.

I also do not throw my butts around I'll usually scrape it against the sidewalk or if I have some water near by put it out there then I will grab the butt and either put it in my pocket or a near by garbage can. Pollution is Pollution.

I also ask if I can smoke...but generally I am always outside when I do it and not near anyone...and I do not believe in doing it around children I think that is totally wrong.

Original Post by yogagirl6853:

 Give me a break!!!  Really - if you are outside - you guys are just being ignorant and following the no-smoke croud!  I am a non-smoker - but sheeeeesh!  If the person is outside - what more do you want?  You don't  like it - step away!!!  What is next - what do you want?  - the govmt to tell you it is illegal to eat pie becuase it causes artery clogging?

Cars cause as much pollution outside... so does your furnace.  Alot of posters here probably have more to worry about from their bodyfat & their cholesterol than they do from smoke! 

This herd mentality is ridiculous.

 Geez, I wasn't aware that my bodyfat or cholesterol could cause someone else health problems or cause litter.  You learn something new every day....

Your lack of concern for children and people making the choice not to smoke is ridiculous.

Original Post by phylbean:

Original Post by yogagirl6853:

 Give me a break!!!  Really - if you are outside - you guys are just being ignorant and following the no-smoke croud!  I am a non-smoker - but sheeeeesh!  If the person is outside - what more do you want?  You don't  like it - step away!!!  What is next - what do you want?  - the govmt to tell you it is illegal to eat pie becuase it causes artery clogging?

Cars cause as much pollution outside... so does your furnace.  Alot of posters here probably have more to worry about from their bodyfat & their cholesterol than they do from smoke! 

This herd mentality is ridiculous.

 Geez, I wasn't aware that my bodyfat or cholesterol could cause someone else health problems or cause litter.  You learn something new every day....

Your lack of concern for children and people making the choice not to smoke is ridiculous.

You have your opinion - but like i said - I DON'T smoke!  I just think the smoking nazi's are waaay overboard and yes high cholesterol habits and watching people eat all the junk is bad for kids too!  Litter - yes - I see McDonald's wrappers and candy wrappers all over the place.  Same thing.

Original Post by peaches0405:

r4eboxer - ask and you shall receive 

http://caloriecount.about.com/grrr-rant-ft108 662-1#35

 

Thanks, I knew one of you highly capable people would find it. LOL Thanks again

I don't like the term smoking NAZIs as those people were evil. Lighting up a ciggarette is in no way related to massacreing a slew of people because of their beliefs.

I agree that it's pretty darned awful not to care about the health of others, but I still think that non-smokers take it a little bit too far.  If someone passes by a person smoking outside, they may get an unpleasant whiff, but it's not enough to cause health problems.  As for litter, well all I can say is that in any group of people you are going to have the responsible ones and the jerks.  I think it is unfortunate that all smokers are lumped in with the jerks because they aren't all inconsiderate.  I should know because I always tried to be considerate of non-smokers when I smoked but they didn't fee they needed to be considerate of me.  I've been off cigarettes for 10 months now and am happy to be a former smoker, but I refuse to forget where I came from.

Cars cause as much pollution outside... so does your furnace.  Alot of posters here probably have more to worry about from their bodyfat & their cholesterol than they do from smoke! 

This herd mentality is ridiculous.

Really, the last time I checked my child did not have any cholesterol issues, bodyfat etc. I don't have any cholesterol issues,   body fat... well that is a different story. What I don't need ON TOP of my other health problems is to breathe in second hand smoke. Can you really say that it is mentally ridiculous to want to protect your child. Do you have a child? A child that gets extremely upset when he can't breathe do to the stupidity of adults. What would you say to him? How do you explain this to a young child, keeping in mind you are forming opinions and life long habits in his immature mind? If you do and you subject him/her to second hand smoke and it doesn't bother you I question your mentality.

I have an intense dislike for inconsiderate people:

• Smokers who smoke on their patio knowing the smoke will blow in their neighbor's window (it's been mentioned a few times)...where I live we don't have A/C so closing the window is not always an option.  There is a nice large parking lot on the other side of the building that can be easily accessed and smoking there will have minimal effect on anyone else.
• People who litter...take it with you unless it's something that the squirrels will eat.
  
• People with unmuffled cars or motorcycles revving them through residential neighborhoods...particularly late at night.
• People who have to crank the bass on their stereo (or car stereo) so that the entire block is subjected to their musical taste...even when I like the music I don't like having parts of it inflicted on me.
• People who honk their horn when they pick someone up...cell phones, they're everywhere now, call to say you're there.
• People who pull out their cell phones in restaurants/classes/meetings/libraries/grocer y stores/other public places and proceed to have a conversation...why do they get offended when people overhear and comment?
  

I think that if a person is smoking in a responsible manner in an area that is approved for smoking like outside or on their own property, then they are not posing a risk to anyone else and are perfectly within their rights to do so.  If, however, someone decides to light up a cigarette in an enclosed area where there are non-smokers and children, there is no defense for that.  Like I said earlier, in every group of people there will be those who are considerate and those who are jerks.  I just don't think it's right to lump all smokers into the jerk category. 

OMG people are getting very offended...  I heard this rumour that people who have too much free time spend it getting offended...and all that energy could be used for good.

I, reformed smoker, find the smell of smoke revolting.  BUT, even though I thought myself a considerate smoker whilst being a smoker, I was still a smoker, outside, in public around non-smokers.  So, I get it now and I can't really complain, but all you never-smokers sure can.  Smoking is gross, it smells gross, it does gross things to the practicer of the smoking and the people around afformentioned offending smoker.  I secretly resent my friends that still smoke and smokers on TV that make it look cool...I love that everything is non smoking now.

I agree though, and maybe it's just magnified because I'm a quitter, that there does seem to be more smokers around these days, but it's probably due to the fact that they are shoo'd to the sidewalks rather than smoking in private in their offices/stores/restaurants/etc.

r4eboxer, if your child can't breathe because he walks by someone smoking a cigarette on a street corner, you seriously need to get him to the Doctor right away.

Original Post by smwhipple:

I have an intense dislike for inconsiderate people:

 This pretty much sums it up....I especially agree about the loud cars, without mufflers, blasting offensive music at 1am, while smoking and littering, through my neighbourhood....I wish I had a large, very accurate spitball projector for those moments.