Is Smoking a Social Stigma?
By MRconrad01
@MRconrad01 (148)
United States
November 9, 2011 5:55pm CST
I personally am a smoker. I don't care who knows it or what people think of it. I am an eighteen-year-old college student and am taking an entry-level sociology class, and we were talking about social stigmas a few weeks ago. A social stigma is a disapproval of a certain behavior or a characteristic that distinguishes the person from the rest of society.
I have to questions. If you're a smoker, do you ever try to hide the fact that you smoke from others because you're ashamed of it? And if you're not a smoker, do you judge other people for smoking because it's an "unhealthy habit," or something to that degree?
I think this is even more interesting when looked at across other cultures. My friend is from Armenia and says he smokes because that's a sign that you're a man in his culture. I had never thought about it like that until he commented on the matter.
2 people like this
3 responses
@butterscotsh (1012)
• Philippines
10 Nov 11
I agree with you. I agree with that social stigma. I don't know why I feel like
I have to judge a person if he or she is smoking. I have tried to smoke before
with my friends, I felt really cool at that time. But it didn't developed
into a habit fortunately. Now, I still can't help but judge people who
smoke as not good people.
@MRconrad01 (148)
• United States
10 Nov 11
I believe it's a social stigma as well. Smokers never try to hide the fact that they smoke unless from family. Non-smokers, however, always seem to judge those who smoke unless they themselves were smokers at one point in the past. When I smoke, I often feel some people give me dirty looks, like I'm doing something innately evil.
@jennastewart2482 (357)
• United States
9 Nov 11
I am a smoker, and have smoked for years. I've never been the one to hide it from anyone, other than my parents when I wasn't of age yet. I figure that the person can take me as I am or leave me as I am...the choice is his/hers. If I'm around people who don't smoke, though, I will tend not to smoke until I'm away from them. Not because I don't want them to know BUT because I know they don't smoke. I think its a common curtousy.
@MRconrad01 (148)
• United States
10 Nov 11
I sort of forgot about my family. I definitely hid it from them when I still wasn't eighteen as well. And I also don't smoke in front of people I know don't smoke because it's a common curtousy. If I feel the urge to smoke in front of non-smokers, I'll always at least ask them if they mind first.
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
10 Nov 11
I'm a smoker, but I never really try to hide the fact that I smoke. Although I know it's not healthy, and I honestly want to quit... I don't think it's something I should be ashamed of or try to hide. If someone doesn't like the fact that I smoke, then oh well. They should mind their own business. It's my habit, not theirs... as unhealthy as it may be.
The only time anyone really has any business commenting about the fact that I smoke is if they are concerned about my health (like family or close friends).
I'm always respectful of others and only smoke in designated smoking areas, so that I do not bother any non-smokers with the smoke. So, they can think it's a nasty habit all they want... but they have no right to say anything to me since I am being respectful.
