What can you say about smokers who are scared of pollution?
By calai618
@calai618 (1773)
Philippines
September 17, 2009 10:19am CST
I recently rode a public jeepney and there was this person in front of me who was smoking. Though the jeepney didn't have a "No Smoking" sign, it is still a known custom to not smoke inside any public vehicle. Being a non-smoker and knowing the fact that second-hand smokers are at risk too, I then covered my nose with my hankerchief. He noticed what I did but he still didn't throw his cigarette. Instead, he moved a little away from me but still wherever he sits, everyone inside the jeepney could still inhale the smoke. When he finished smoking his cigarette, he looked at me and acted as if nothing happened. I still continued covering my nose because I also hate pollution from vehicles. After a few minutes, I was shocked when he suddenly covered his nose as a truck went pass our jeepney emitting black smoke. I wouldn't have been shocked if I hadn't known he was a smoker but since I saw how much of a smoker he was (he couldn't even skip it while inside a public transportation), I was confused why he had to cover his nose when he is used to sniffing cigarette smoke anyway.
Is there really any difference? Do smokers here do the same thing as well? I want to hear different views from both smokers and non-smokers..I also want to know if I am just over reacting..Thanks!
3 people like this
5 responses
@rosepedal64 (4188)
• United States
17 Sep 09
I am a smoker myself. Under no condition do I condone his actions. He should have respected the fact that there was other people around. You should never smoke in a group of people no matter where you are. Being a smoker for many years now, I do know what my dangers are for myself. It is not that I don't care it is that I am addicted to them..It is not easy to quit cold turkey..The smoke that we inhale is totally different from the smoke from a vechicle. It is not as strong smelling to us as the smoke from a vechicle like you described. Great discussion and you have a nice day...
@calai618 (1773)
• Philippines
15 Oct 09
thank you rosepedal64 for pointing that out because we nonsmokers,or at least me, qualify all of those as plainly pollution. i am also aware that there are many smokers like you who are aware of the dangers and are too addicted to quit but have the decency to not smoke where prohibitted. i just hope all smokers are like you though. if they can't help the world by minimizing pollution through not smoking, at least be decent enough to discretely smoke and not endanger other people's lives directly. thanks again!
@rosepedal64 (4188)
• United States
15 Oct 09
You are very welcome. I do highly respect those that don't smoke. I also respect the eldery in any situtation, and feel that everyone should do the same. They have lived their lives for the younger generation to continue with their lives. Have a great day and keep smiling..
@rusty2rusty (6763)
• Defiance, Ohio
14 Oct 09
Oh that is to funny. Kinda of ironic in my opinion. To me smoking is no different than breathing in pollution. I don't smoke but if I seen that, I would of laughed my bum off and question the guy about it.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
17 Sep 09
Hi calai, I was a heavy smoker for many years, but gave up around thirty years ago, so my response may be a little biased. By covering his face the person you mention is showing he is aware of pollution. However, because he smoked in the jeepney, shows he is a selfish, individual, and doesn't respect other human beings. I would say this kind of person has few friends. I don't think you're overreacting one bit!
@calai618 (1773)
• Philippines
15 Oct 09
thank you for the response mipen2006! i am glad i encountered a person like you who succeeded at quitting smoking. it just goes to show that nothing is really impossible if people would just have the willpower to do so. i hope to meet more and more people like you!
1 person likes this
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
15 Oct 09
Hi Calai,
I find this both funny and annoying. Okay, let's give him some reason: maybe he didn't like the bad odor of the black smoke that's why he covered his nose, but I think he knows his body is so "polluted" already that covering his nose won't save him. It's annoying how some people can be insensitive, they know that smoking is not allowed in public places because of the dangers it poses and yet they do it as if it's the rightest thing to do, without regard for others. I wish we have stricter implementation of laws banning smoking and higher penalties for those who smoke in public places.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
15 Oct 09
Yes, when you mentioned jeepney I knew right away we're from the same country
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I really hope that those in power will have more political will to regulate this. We know that the government generates good revenues from this product but at the same time health and well-being of the general public should also be of utmost importance.
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I really hope that those in power will have more political will to regulate this. We know that the government generates good revenues from this product but at the same time health and well-being of the general public should also be of utmost importance.@calai618 (1773)
• Philippines
15 Oct 09
very true! thanks for explaining it well. where from the same country right? i really do hope as well that there will be more laws and penalties against these insensitive people..i don't want to live in a time when smoking and not smoking have no difference anymore because the world would be too polluted already to even have the distinction.
