Is society too harsh/judgmental of cigarette smokers?

FireIce918 wrote:Personally I don't smoke and don't prefer to hang around those who do (I do agree that they don't realize how awful they smell to a non-smoker). Unfortunately one of my good friends smokes like a chimney and goes to great lengths to smoke a cigarette--we've spent many work breaks gossiping in the freezing cold so she can smoke! I view it as a worthless habit, and it obviously has a greater effect on more than just the participant. While I agree that everyone has freedom of choice, cigarette smoke doesn't choose who it blows on or who has to inhale it, no matter how much the smoker stands downwind or turns the other way. And because it's a known carcinogen, I can certainly understand the strong anti-smoking stance that many people take.

I'm glad with the restrictions that have been put on smoking around here, considering this is tobacco central. I was truly elated when I could finally have a night at the club without smelling like a Newport! And honestly, I wou support anything that makes it more difficult for smokers lol. It's a habit that can kill anybody around you, so I can't see any reason to NOT be harsh about it.

Nystyle709 wrote: ... These anti smoking zealots are just that. Don't like cigarette smoke? Bounce.

Nystyle709 wrote:

Exhaust fumes are carcinogens. There aren't any bans on cars. Do you perm your hair? That relaxer is a carcinogen too. So is nail polish, nail polish remover, everyday household cleaning products and certain cosmetics. Point is, you can't justify the ban on cigarette smoking based on the fact that people can get cancer from it. You encounter cancer causing materials everyday. You might as well ban everything else. I do think a lot of these anti-smokers go too far. It's ludicrous to take away smokers right to smoke just because YOU don't enjoy it. I don't smoke and I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke. Guess what I do when someone starts smoking around me? I leave. Banning smoking in parks and bars and clubs is bullshit. I've been to restaurants have had separate sections for smokers and non-smokers and I never smelled any smoke or had a problem with smoke when I was sitting in the non smoking sections. These anti smoking zealots are just that. Don't like cigarette smoke? Bounce.

Tony Marino wrote:
... The friggin air we breathe is filled with who knows what kinds of toxins.

Tony Marino wrote: People that smoke are well aware of the hazards of it but if they want to continue, thats their business.

Opa Shale wrote:

Kinda hard to bounce from a bus, train or airplane. Equally hard to bounce from your office where you are required to spend 8 hours (and the ban in bars and eating establishments was not for the patrons but for the workers - turns out it is an OSHA item).

I remember the hell of sitting on long bus & plane rides in smoke befouled air. I also worked in a pizza/beer joint in Pittsburgh and had a choice of turning on the exhaust fan over the ovens and freezing or shutting down my breathing.

We've had a clean indoor air act here in Florida since 1991 and I really appreciate it. BTW, all those other fumes mentioned are not as deadly as cigarette smoke and not as constantly inhaled. I have bounced my office when such fumes as solvents or paints were present and dared them to tell me to stay - I would be contacting OSHA myself.

A persons "right" to smoke only extends until it reaches my nose. And, I don't consider myself a fanatic, just a health conscious person who does not wish to succumb to someone else's stupid lifestyle choices.

Nystyle709 wrote:
Either you're describing some shit that happened in the 50's or you're just straight up lying. Smoking is not allowed on public buses, trains or planes. It's not allowed in office buildings either and most other public places.

Nystyle709 wrote: Are you serious?! ...

Nystyle709 wrote: Well, you got quite a few "lifestyle choices" that I and I'm sure other people think are stupid, but you wouldn't want anyone judging you. You really gonna judge someone who chooses to enjoy a cigarette? FOH.

Opa Shale wrote:

I thot that was apparent. "I remember the hell of sitting on long bus & plane rides in smoke befouled air." And it was also the '60s & '70s.

"We've had a clean indoor air act here in Florida since 1991 and I really appreciate it. BTW, all those other fumes mentioned are not as deadly as cigarette smoke and not as constantly inhaled."

Kinda
hard to bounce from a bus, train or airplane. Equally hard to bounce
from your office where you are required to spend 8 hours (and the ban in
bars and eating establishments was not for the patrons but for the
workers - turns out it is an OSHA item).

Yes!

Ppl judge me all the time (even on this board). My stupid lifestyle choices do not impact the health of others, nor make their breathing miserable because I have befouled the air. It is not a matter of judgement, but one of pushing smoke onto others who do not wish to breathe it.

Nystyle709 wrote: ...I ain't never heard of anyone being FORCED to breathe in cigarette smoke.

Nystyle709 wrote:

Exhaust fumes are carcinogens. There aren't any bans on cars. Do you perm your hair? That relaxer is a carcinogen too. So is nail polish, nail polish remover, everyday household cleaning products and certain cosmetics. Point is, you can't justify the ban on cigarette smoking based on the fact that people can get cancer from it. You encounter cancer causing materials everyday. You might as well ban everything else. I do think a lot of these anti-smokers go too far. It's ludicrous to take away smokers right to smoke just because YOU don't enjoy it. I don't smoke and I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke. Guess what I do when someone starts smoking around me? I leave. Banning smoking in parks and bars and clubs is bullshit. I've been to restaurants have had separate sections for smokers and non-smokers and I never smelled any smoke or had a problem with smoke when I was sitting in the non smoking sections. These anti smoking zealots are just that. Don't like cigarette smoke? Bounce.

Bluesmama wrote:

But when someone can't smoke outside on their own porch (a person in California got sued by a neighbor because she sat on her own porch to smoke) then this kind of bullshit is where I pull out all stops.

Opa Shale wrote:

The question was "Do you think anti-smoking attitudes go too far?"

I think not and was merely pointing out HOW FAR WE HAVE COME.

I have more history with this than many ppl here who may have never traveled for hours in a smoke-filled Greyhound or airplane. (or even in a smoke-filled car as a child choking in the back seat) That is why I made a historical reference. If you are too dense to differentiate that then IDK how better to connect the dots.

No I have not been FORCED to breathe in cigarette smoke for a couple of decades, as anti-smoking laws are coming into effect in most places. But HEAR now that I once was forced to breathe in cigarette smoke for the first half century of my life.