Another Attack on Smokers

I am not a smoker myself but I don't attack people that are. I can't breathe when people smoke around me. I guess maybe I'm allergic to it or something I don't know. I just know when they smoke around me it takes my breathe and I have to keep trying to catch my breathe back so the smokers in my family won't smoke around me cause they know this happens to me. But when I'm out in public and someone is smoking I just have to try to hold my breath when I walk past them cause I don't want to offend them if they hear me trying to catch my breath. I can't help that my body is like that it just is. But I don't downgrade anyone that smokes...it's just something I don't do. It's up to each individual if they want to smoke or not. So if non-smokers don't want smokers to attack them then they should give the same respect back to the smokers and not attack them about it.

Some one known to me just passed away of lung cancer and guess what, she had never smoked in life! I totally agree with you gaby. There are so many malice but smokers get the worst thrash. I think people kinda blame everything on smokers! Its not just smoking but a cumulative process of bad habits. I do not smoke neither do i endorse it but I ask my loved ones who are smokers to quit it. But then I do tell them of all other bad practises, not just smoking.

I do not smoke, have never smoked, and wish people had never started smoking, but I figure you are a grown up, and can make that choice yourself. I also do not really believe in being mean to my friends. Thirdly, these people need to show a little compassion, as smoking is a very hard thing to stop.

Well I guess they will just have to kill me for aint agonna stop smoking! to old to care . I also had a friend that didnt smoke wasnt around in the house with smokers we went outside and she got Bonticulie something to do with lung and spitting up blood now on Oxegen and has been sinde we were in our 3s. So that should prove all things do not happen from smoking. and There are worse things in the air to harm ya. We are going to a wedding tomorrow in another sstate and we have to find a town that hasnt ban smoking I know for sure one of the towns has back in 96 when I lived down where we are going in Arizona. Dont care if we get a smoking room or not as we will have to smoke outside for we wont smoke inside with Cheyenne with us. But it really cahps me that people think every thing is caused from Cig smoke!!!1

Well gabs..you know my take on smoking so not gonna press further. However, I'm not thrilled with the ban on smoking either despite that fact. I just knew when I read about it going into effect, a lot of businesses that cater to smokers will be closing up. Guess what? I was right! I can't count on my fingers and toes how many bars/nightclubs/restaurants/gambling places/etc. have closed up in my area since it started a few years ago. We are to lose yet another restaurant right here in my small town on Sunday with their separate bar already closed down last week. We've been going to that place ever since they opened 7yrs ago and know the whole staff and where they live. Gonna miss it lots! -gives anotherxidentity yet another swift kick in the kester just to get the lingering anger out-

Hi Gaby, did you know that my smart aleck attitude is due to my mom's second hand smoke? Just kidding. I don't like smoking. Since I moved away from home, it irritates my eyes. But I don't go around attacking smokers either. You're right, people make a lot of other unhealthy choices and people don't feel obligated to go around and attacking them.

[i]I just wish People would leave the Smokers be, like the Smokers leave the Non Smokers be It is not a crime to smoke, but People are trying to turn it into a crime, why not concentrate more on the REAL crimes that happening in this world[/i] I agree...BUT sad reality is, whiners and complainers get no twisted satisfaction from dealing with REAL issues....They get far more pleasure out of butting in to the lives of others etc...

KUDOS! I absolutely agree.

Everyone always attacks a smoker, I dont even smoke anywhere outside now because of the stigma surrounding smokers I just smoke in my back garden! I do think a lot of focus is placed on smoking rather than all the other habits that are out there and a lot more are as bad or worse than a smoker.

i agree with you none smokers keep forgetting its just not us but like you said its cars, buses and ect that have mess up our air. but as a smoker we are banned from smoking in different area at different places. but when i smoke around none smokers i try to be nice about it to make sure my smoke isnt getting around them but sometime we cant help which way to wind blows. also these are same who might drink and do other things to harm thier own health. i knew a person never smoke a day in thier life and got lung cancer. most none smokers who complains are more ruder then smokers. i was at an party which was outside and i was talking with a friend and this other guy came up and was like your smoking is bothering me, i told i was sorry and i will move to another spot, as i started to walk he was yelling at as he was pushing on me to go a different way, i asked him four times to please stop pushing because for one i dont like being touched by anyone i dont know and plus he was actully pushing me so hard i was stumbly back i finally told do it again and he will have more to worry about then my smoke but i get tried of hearing none smoker #itch and complain about us smokers those who really complain i will blow smoke into their face.

Hey gabs! We have a saying here in the US that "You're damned if you do, and you're damned if you don't!" WTF do people want? You can't smoke inside, now they want to try and tell us that we are polluting the air outside when the cars and everything else is polluting the air too! WTF!!! If those that don't want to smoke and don't want to be around those that do smoke, then stay the hell 100 feet away! I am also sick of THOSE people who want to cry and complain! They have already banned smoking from inside everywhere, around any hospital or medical environment! What more do they want! So just stay the phuck out of anywhere that someone has a cigg lit! How unreasonable can one be?

Hmmm..For the record, I am a smoker..now 57, have been smoking since I was 17. And as I have said in similar posts, I realize that I am in a minority in the country and I have enough of a grasp of history to know how minorities fare here. I'm not looking for a badge..But again, I'm not looking for that single finger salute I get from non-smoking zealots either. I am getting rather tired of folks telling me they have a right to choose for themselves..AND for me as well..and I have only the responsibility to acquiesce like I good little..(oh I can't say that word, can I?) Its quite true that everyone, even zealots, make unhealthy choices..for instance, I rarely drink soda except as a mixer with something worth drinking. So, were the taxes to rise on such, I wouldn't mind at all. It wouldn't really affect me, and if we could get it banned in public use..OH YES!..because of the GROSS reciprical effects of carbonation on both ends of the anatomy which would upset my delicate sensitivities, as well as offending my nose..And we could then publicly chastise and demean the offensive people who won't bow to my rights to choose for them.. You know, I once read that home rules belong at home where the space is governed by that home person. In public, tho, you run head on into the diversity of the society and home rules don't apply..Consider a room with 1000 people in it and each of the 1000 expect 999 people to give in and follow the rules of the one..So in short order you have a room of 1000 disgruntled people jumping up on soapboxes, totin' signs, shaking fists and demanding rights..Sound familiar? I realize I got off subject, sort of..You can blame my grandmother for that. Its a learned thing.. We can fuss about this until the next millenium..The situation will not change. I realize that smoking is unhealthy. I also realize that carbon monoxide poisoning is unhealthy, unlike the environmentalists in their suv's who, apparently haven't a clue..OR just don't care about the effects THEIR habit has on the lives and health of others...Enjoy!

You absolutely have a right to smoke without being abused. There are undeniably health risks and saying other people do things that are health risks too kind of isn't a good reason for taking them...lol...but you KNOW that, everyone knows its not the healthiest thing you ever did, and it is their right to choose to carry on if they decide they still want to. Its a free choice, just like drinking, overeating, whatever, as you said. I DO agree with smoking not being in restaurants. I think even if there is a divided smoking/non section, you can smell it. The smell, and the smoke itself if you are close to it, affects the taste of food and enjoyment of the meal, I think. So I kind of think it is fair enough to not have it there. I dislike inconsiderate smokers who, you know, blow it in your face, or whatever. That's just rude. And I would ask that no one smoke in my house, I think that is my right, I don't mind if they go and have one outside, no problem, just not in my living room. But most people respect that, the rude, inconsiderate people are the same people who would be rude if they were not smokers anyway, they'd probably be the people you're talking about! My husband gave up about eight months ago and I love it. I used to wash his clothes every day because I could always smell it - sometimes I didn't even want to get close to him because I could smell and taste it. His breathing in his sleep was horrible and I would lie awake listening. Now it is fine. Our apartment doesn't smell of smoke anymore, where he used to smoke in the bathroom (it has a fan and so was slightly better than any other room, but still the difference now is huge.) So, I hated it when he smoked and I love that he gave up. I hate being near someone who is smoking right in your face. But, if someone chooses to smoke it is up to them, and I really don't see why people have an issue with smoking outside. I have no problem with people doing that. I don't think its a good thing but I certainly don't think I have a right to tell anyone else they don't have the freedom to choose.

Yes, smokers have right to do what they want to do. So, please respect us. Air polution caused by vehicles and industries are worse than smoke we produce. We didn't harm anybody but ourselves.

Same here! I get very tired of it.....do they realize how much their taxes would go up if there was no one smoking? How about the overweight people that now cause more medical costs then smokers? Both my sister don't smoke....and they both have heart problems....me I smoke.....no problem and don't get sick either! I am totally with you on this one!

Few things! I myself am a smoker & have been for over 25 years. I know it's not a good thing but It's my habbit. Honestly, I enjoy it. Here's my problem. Don't tell me we as a society or even as a human race have evolved technologically so much so that we put men on the moon but nobody can come up with good enough air circulation system to take a smoke out of 10 x 10 or 20 x 20 corner of the room? Bring back the smoking section & improve on air-circulation system. Instead of banning smoking in public places, like restaurants and/or bars, make that an option. If those places want to cater to smokers and non-smokers, then they have the option to install special air-circulation or air-purification system. Another thing I have a problem with - a lot of people complain about tv shows & musics. If you don't like the tv show, turn it off. If you don't like the music, turn the radio off. If you don't like certain musical group, don't buy their cd. If you don't like the area where somokers hang-out, find the alternative. People talk about their rights. Well, smokers are human, too. They have rights, too. They should have the rights to open "smoker's bar" or "smoker's only restaurant". There are enough smokers who needs work. I'm sure they wouldn't have any problem finding people to work there who enjoy smoking as much as customers who will use them. Bar & restaurants shold have 2 sections. Smoking section & non smoking section. Bring back the old days. If they're worried about hurting non-smoking waiters & waitress's health, then find waiters & waitresses who are smokers. "Help wanted; waiters & waitresses for smoker's lounge" or "waitresses & waiters for smoker's bar/restuarnt". "Looking for wait-staff who's willing to work in smoking section." There are such things called common courtosy. I understand that. I'm certainly not going to walk around blowing smokes in people's faces, wether they are smoker or not. If I goto a social gathering & majority of people there are non-smokers, then I will restrain myself from smoking & walk away if I really want one, regardless of weather I can smoke in that place or not. It should be a common courtesy issue, not smoking issue.

Hi Gab, You have said the lot, well to me if a drunk comes up and stand next to you or sits next to you drunk as a skunk, what would you do, move ofourse, so this person who had made the dicussion about smokers should move if they don't like it, its a free country after all, well done Gabs, love and hugs. Tamara xxxx

hey,hey,hey.. take it easy... don't be mad as it may damage your liver... don't be mad, just don't smoke near people as to lessen the effect of smokers smoking.. :-)