Where does freedom ends?

@0310mg (73)
Philippines
May 4, 2011 10:10pm CST
I tend to hate smokers but then I always make myself believe that it's their freedom to smoke. Yet, I too have freedom to inhale fresh air specially if we're on the same area and there's no way to get rid of those smokers.
1 person likes this
7 responses
@firemom31 (598)
• United States
5 May 11
Don't you think hate is a strong emotion to have toward someone just because you don't like what they do? I have severe allergies and I am entitled to inhale fresh air as well, but I do not hate women who wear perfume in my presence. Diesel fumes set off my allergies, but I do not hate the bus driver in front of me for driving there. Body odor offends me, but I do not hate the person who does not bathe with the frequency I think he should. Bottom line, we're all on this planet together. We ALL have habits, quirks, and traits that others may find offensive. We simply must be tolerant of others, because, well, the world does not revolve around us and what we want. I am free to walk away from the person wearing perfume, just as you are free to walk away from someone smoking.
1 person likes this
@0310mg (73)
• Philippines
5 May 11
Thank you for that enlightenment....just because I'm irritated, I got to hate them. The fruit of my anger....tsk! hope you're getting good treatment with your allergies.
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
11 May 11
I quit smoking several years ago but I still get irritated with the smoker´s haters. All kinds of hate are worse than their source, I´m sure.
@Lexus656 (672)
• United States
23 May 11
I totally agree marguicha they sound more like they hate the actual person more then the habit. 0310mg the sad thing is you think its irritation but it comes off a lot stronger then that. It seems the way non smokers approach the topic puts us smokers on the defensive. It should be handled a little differently.
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
11 May 11
I am glad you gave best response to a person that place smoking into a good perspective. This "hate" thing about smokers is a world wise new scapegoat to make common people forget the real hazzard issues we are facing. Japan´s earthquake and tsunami were nothing in comparison to the damage caused by the nuclear plant problem ( a normal result of too much riches for some). We can live a simpler life and a better life and we will be freeer from pollution, from destroying the planet. Smoking is just the top of a big iceberg. The real thing lies somewhere else. Don´t ask about smoking. I´m glad you don´t. But, how are you polluting? What are you doing (and what am I doing) to worsen our planet´s future? Is it freedom to wash cars with treated water while in other countries they don´t have safe water to drink? Is it freedom that we use a car (count the oil please) to drive instead of using buses? Is it freedom to throw away instead of recycling. I feel we must try to center ourselves in the freedom to be instead of the freedom to have.
@Lexus656 (672)
• United States
22 May 11
Marguicha i am so thankful that im not the only one who thinks there are much bigger problems the world is facing.
@Lexus656 (672)
• United States
23 May 11
Marguicha im starting to see that a lot of the time people want something petty to whine about. They don't want to talk about the real issues we have because then they may feel bad or feel obligated to help change it. People these days are to lazy and don't want to work for things that are important. In a way it seems like if they don't talk or thinkk about it then it doesn't exist in their minds. I pray that people stop being petty and open their eyes to the real problems this world has.
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
23 May 11
Yet it´s so easy to help with some small things. In my country we have electricity problems. Two years ago the government asked specially each of us to change our light bulbs to the energy saving ones if we could and wanted and to remember to put off the lights when leaving a room. As you see, nothing so difficult. When the savings were posted we felt very proud as it was far above the expectations.
• Australia
25 May 11
This is true but most peolple would try to be curtious would they not? I dont think smokers want you to have to breath in their bad habit but there are minimal places where smoking is allowed these days, and they also have to stand somewhere. Maybe next time you are in the situation your should ask the smoker to move, if they dont you of course although its not the ideal option could move yourself out the smoke. Im sure the cloud isn't that lare its ina avoidable. I think if they realised they were irritating you they would be likely to move anyway. I hope you have better luck with this advice.
@Lexus656 (672)
• United States
22 May 11
Your precious fresh air are you thinking about how nasty the air was befor they started smoking? If they aren't smoking your still breathing in a bunch of junk from cars and im sure you own one so your contributing to the dirty air. Or the factories that make everything you use on a daily basis as well? Its not just smokers and its terribly unrealistic to blame you ruined fresh air on smoker's alone.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
23 May 11
Non-smokers also seem to forget how many tax dollars that us smokers pay for them. If we were all to up and quit then those tax dollars would have to be made up for somewhere else and might possibly be on something a lot more fair to include EVERYONE even them. They moan and whine when they should be thanking us. Seriously, we can't smoke almost anywhere now and still they complain.
1 person likes this
@magtibaygom (4858)
• Philippines
5 May 11
The smoker's freedom ends where non-smokers' rights of not not inhaling second hand smoke begins...
• United States
5 May 11
I can not stand to be around smoke at all. I have asthma and it bothers me greatly. I see where you are coming from. Take care.
@tammy27 (1241)
• Philippines
5 May 11
well that's how life is. we have freedom but that doesnt mean we enjoy it all the time. if those smokers enjoy their freedom of smoking, there are also times when they dont enjoy their freedom on other things just like how you dont enjoy your freedom of inhaling fresh air. if vise versa, you dont enjoy your freedom on inhaling fresh air, but at the same time you are able to enjoy your freedom on other things. and life is really like that. we're not ought to enjoy all the time.