Am I the only smoker for bans?
By sunshinecup
@sunshinecup (7871)
September 2, 2007 8:10am CST
Ok these little white sticks we smokers suck on all day long are toxic, cancer creating, emphysema causing and asthma triggering hazards, that we are addicted to. Not only do they affect us, but anyone on around us that can breath in our smoke. So not sticking my head in the self righteous what about my rights sand, I have no problem acknowledging the fact these smoking bans are a good thing. Many don’t try to think pass their own noses and will smoke where ever and when ever regardless whom is standing there, with no care they could be possibly endangering someone’s life or passing on this stupid habit on to others. I am for bans, I have no problem with them. Non smokers shouldn’t have to dodge our smoke, no more than shooting victims should have dodged stray bullets. It’s a stupid premise to think THEY (nonsmokers including children) need to avoid us as we light up where ever we so choose. It’s just as illogical to think we are losing any more rights than a drunk who isn’t allowed to drive a car after a few beers. It is my opinion health and safety comes far above convenience. There for I am a smoker that does support bans on smoking in public as well in cars with children. Hate me, bash me but prove I am wrong, logically.
Ok there is my rant. What is your opinion on this whole issue? Are you a smoker that supports these bans as well or are you a smoker that is against them. What are your reasons.
Thank to all in advance.
9 people like this
13 responses
@yanjiaren (9031)
•
2 Sep 07
Count me is as the arch enemy of the ciggy and one who hates the stuff lol1 I am all with you on this one and they can call us old fogey wingepots all they like lol. They pollute the air, kill themselves and others and make these stinking companies rich, themselves poorer and then they say we are being silly and it is against freedon and rights to want to protect ourselves and our kids from the crap that comes from smoking lol..I amjointly venting gladly with you on this one hehehe
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
3 Sep 07
You have a point there, making themselves poorer, it's true. I don't even want to think what I have spent on these stupid things, that I hate. It's crazy to imagine being attached to somthing that doesn't even make me feel a positive about it at all any more.
1 person likes this
@ladybug565 (2216)
• United States
2 Sep 07
I agree with you 100%. smoking is banned just about everywere in my state now and it is a good thing. I used to be a smoker and I think people who smoke should respect the rights of those who dont. I have allways felt that way, even when I did smoke.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
3 Sep 07
I am a non-smoker and am "for" the bans, but I think it goes a bit overboard when someone is forced to not do something they enjoy doing around their own children. There needs to come a time when a person is held accountable for their actions. My parents smoked all my life and I don't know that that has had any more adverse effect on me than any other thing. Now, in my home or car, people do not smoke. And some people choose to not visit us. But why do I have the right to go to their home and demand that they not smoke? It's now my choice and I need to be responsible for that action.
One thing I really don't get is that they are banning smoking everywhere, but they'll still sell the darned things (at a HUGE expense!!!)
1 person likes this
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
3 Sep 07
But why do I have the right to go to their home and demand that they not smoke?
Yes I agree with that. If we are going to their house, it's their rules. I hate taking my shoes off at someone's door to come in. However when I visit their homes, I make sure my feet are clean cause I will take my shoes off. It's their house, their rules and I have no say so over it. It's the same if I visit a non-smoker’s house, I won't light up. But if someone visits a smoker, they should expect it.
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
2 Sep 07
I have no problem with bans in public places except restaurants that used to have smoking areas where the non smokers could make the choice not to sit in. I agree with all workplaces being smoke free but should have an outdoor area for smokers. If I have company in my home who object to smoking I will go outside but that is seldom as I can go without for a few hours without smoking. I have a few questions about 2nd hand smoke that no-one can answer. My many pets over the year all lived for the normal animal lifespan and they had no respiratory problems and they have lungs which breathed 2nd hand smoke, the vet could not answer why!. I know quite a few people who have lived in a smoke free environment and they developed lung cancer. I myself have smoked for over 45 years and my pulmonary specialist says my lungs are in better shape than many of his non smoking patients. Two months ago I had lung x-rays and a breathing test, just to make keep my doctor happy, and everything was 100%. He finally admitted he thought it had a lot to do with my genes.
1 person likes this
@Poison_Girl (4150)
• United States
17 Mar 08
Except that when restaurants had the smoking and non-smoking sections, did you ever notice where the smoking section tended to be? In the bar. And where is the bar usually located? In the front of the restaurant. So, us non-smokers had to walk through the smokers' big cloud of smoke just to enter and leave the restaurant or use the restrooms. Where's the sense in that???
@cyntrow (8523)
• United States
2 Sep 07
First I need to say that I'm not convinced of the second hand smoke issue. The reason is simply because most people of my generation grew up in houses where at least one parent smoked. We went to restaurants where everyone smoked. We rode on busses or in cars where people smoked. And we didn't have asthma, or chronic health problems, and we don't have lung cancer today.
That being said, I am an occasional smoker. I did it habitually for a while and then I became a baby machine and decided to keep to an occasional indulgence. My problem with the smoking ban is not the "smoking" but the "ban." I'm tired of the government getting involved in my life and telling me what I should do and where I should do it. First it's music, then it's movies, then it's the internet, then it's television. I know these sound trivial compared to smoking, but it's just another thing; another interference into the lives of the citizenry.
I know many people who ONLY smoke when they drink. Of course some places can go smoke free and non smokers can enjoy those places. But if you go to a bar and see everyone standing outside at some point in the evening, who's rights are being effected. It's not the non-smokers because they aren't there. It's the people who want to smoke when they are in a bar. Most bartenders and bar servers smoke as well. Why not let the people decide? Why a Big Brother ban?
1 person likes this
@cyntrow (8523)
• United States
2 Sep 07
I guess I just don't understand why there can't be smoking establishments and non smoking establishments instead of the goverment dictating that all establisments need to be non smoking. If I want to go out with non smoking friends I would be perfectly happy at a non smoking establishment. If I go out with smoking friends, I'd be fine at either establishment. Although most of my non smoking friends are not bothered by smoke.
The house that I grew up in had six smoking adults. My brother and I both started smoking young. My oldest brother never picked up the habit. I don't think that I was ever really addicted to it. Dependent, perhaps, but when I stopped the first time, it was no trouble at all. And going to part time smoker has been easy. This has nothing to do with the topic, just making conversation. LOL
2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
2 Sep 07
cyntrow I agree with every word you wrote. I feel there should be some give and take especially in bars and restaurants. I think there should be smoking areas where at least there is a choice available. It has certainly changed my social life as far as going to clubs as all my friends who are smokers and non smokers prefer to socialize in each other homes so that we can enjoy each others company.
1 person likes this
@Ricko82 (584)
• Philippines
3 Sep 07
I am, and never will be a smoker for the rest of my life. Never was teased to try it because I knew from the very beginning that it does not do me any kind of good. But I sympathize to the smokers because I know it's an addiction and thus its never easy to quit it. I applaud you because you knew the risk that your smoking can have on the people that are around you. I wish that you can stop your "bad" habit soon.
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
3 Sep 07
I wish that you can stop your "bad" habit soon.
Oh thank you sweetie, I hope to someday but I am afraid it will take a month in a padded room to do it.
@pendragon (3350)
• United States
2 Sep 07
I wish smoking were simply gone for good.It's hurt so many.I don't like drinking either, and that was a brilliant metaphor between the two that you created up there. Thanks for this intelligent post how you feel in general. I hope you're free of it someday!
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
3 Sep 07
Yep that is me, I have no problem not assaulting anyone with me nasty habbit. I can waite and I do ok with it.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
2 Sep 07
I'm all for smoking bans. I think they were a help to me to stop smoking.
My question is...why don't thay ban smoking completely...juststop the industry...then no-one could smoke. Imagine all the people out of work though...it's a dilemma.
@sunshinecup (7871)
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3 Sep 07
LOL, imagine the rise in assault crimes if they stopped it all together. I am a nice person most of the time, but when I tried to quit smoking before, MAN, I didn't even like me and I scared myself. LOL
@meemingNEW (2226)
• Philippines
3 Sep 07
Well, I think you made a very good point and much have been said about this issue.. as for me, Yeah! Definitely I agree. I don't smoke anymore and even if I do smoke, I still am not in favor of smoking in public places and most definitely inside the car. It's totally dangerous for the ones inside the car that they will be affected because of inhaling the smoke you puff out. Second-hand smokers right? They don't even smoke yet because some people are insensitive about the effects of smoking esp in public places.. that is why innocent people are affected with irresponsible ones.
@eprado (1467)
• Philippines
3 Sep 07
Hi sunshinecup, Yes I agree with you. I am for smoking ban on public places as well as in cars. I am a smoker but avoids it whenever I am around people who does'nt smoke and children. Mainly because I don't want them to in-hale what I am blowing, I know second hand smoke pass by smoker is dangerous to their health. :-)
@insanity01 (48)
• Canada
3 Sep 07
I am a smoker and one thing I cannot stand is walking down a street smoking as children or the elderly walk by. I can't help it but to walk as close to one side of the sidewalk as possible as to lower the chance that they're inhaling a great deal of second hand smoke.
But I agree with you, non-smokers should not be inconvenienced but if I were to be absolutely fair, I'd say by banning smoking can be inconveniencing too. Well, I believe that's obvious but for those who have been smoking for so long that they cannot live without the nicotine whose bodies would go into shock without nicotine periodically shouldn't have to be suffering the withdrawals as they race for a smoke-okay area. Furthermore, some people need the nicotine to digest and avoid constipation.
And so I am left on the fence between sides.
1 person likes this
@jbrooks (264)
• United States
17 Mar 08
i used to smoke and i am having a really hard time figuring out what the fasinating was with this. i have since stopped for 2 years and i am raising a daughter. so know when i feel the urge to buy a pack i look at my daughter and i resit. i start to think about her health and that i do not want her to ingest the second hand smoke and i would like others to stop smoking around kids. it is like handing a child a pack and saying here you go light up
