Extreme Non-Smokers?

[eclectics]

Smoke travels. You don't have to blow it in someone's face on purpose for them to get a mouthful of it.

But she specifically said it was "blown" at her face.

 

[vivilasvegas]

Smoke travels. You don't have to blow it in someone's face on purpose for them to get a mouthful of it.

That's not what she said. She said people (on several occassions) have purposely sat there and blew smoke at her friends face, and didn't stop even when they saw she was having an asthma attack. And she's seen this happen often for no reason. And apparently it happens to her too.

I think she's stretching the truth to make a point, she says she's not.

 

[AllyandJack]

But she specifically said it was "blown" at her face.

I know. I was just making the observation that even considerate smokers can cause people to inhale the smoke. Even if they don't mean to do it.

The need to invent a smokeless cigarette so smokers can have at it without involving everyone within a 10ft radius.

It's not even like pot - at least I can enjoy the contact high from the pot. I get nothing from second-hand smoke.

 

[SillyMe]

I am an ex-smoker. I smoked for 15 years (quit almost 7 years ago) and now I hate cigarette smoke. I do not mind people smoking outside. I can walk away and get away from it. I do, however, hate going into restaurants or bars or any type of building where smoking is allowed. I can't stand the smell anymore. It irritates my throat and sinuses and I cannot breathe right when I'm around it. I really do wish that smoking would be prohibited in all public buildings. Now as far as calling it murder, that is a bit extreme.

 

[eclectics]

Maybe you can't believe it because you've never seen it happen. I have. Several times. And she does nothing to provoke this.
And politely asking someone to move to another seat is not infringing on their rights to smoke or even be there.
I've had many people blow smoke at me. I've even had people follow me on the bus stop when I start coughing and walk away. I say nothing or don't even look at them. I simply walk away coughing because the smoke is affecting the intake of air to my lungs. They follow with their cigarettes. I walk away again. They follow again.
This has happened several times and with different people.

As I've said, I know there are considerate smokers. But there are just those wackos out there that want to be mean and hurtful.

Wow. Indianapolis must be a pretty tough town. I live in New York (not exactly known for it's warm and fuzzy reputation) and I have never seen anyone do that, ever.

 

[PixieDust32]

Technically, second hand smoke is murder.
Smoking in general is suicide.

YEAH!

 

[vivilasvegas]

Wow. Indianapolis must be a pretty tough town. I live in New York (not exactly known for it's warm and fuzzy reputation) and I have never seen anyone do that, ever.

I was thinking the same thing! I'm in Chicago, never seen it happen like that.

Maybe in Sin City...(the comic, not Vegas)

 

[Teejay32]

I lived in the City of Sin myself until last year... (Lynn, MA)

 

[eclectics]

It's not even like pot - at least I can enjoy the contact high from the pot. I get nothing from second-hand smoke.

 

[Shugardrawers]

Ok, let me clear some things up. First, my post refers to people who do the coughing/waving thing for no other reason than dramatic effect. DSis is a good one for that. I'm well aware that there are people who are allergic or have asthma due to second hand smoke. Their right to breathe trumps a smoker's right to smoke everywhere except a specially designated smoking area. I don't think smoking should be allowed in general public places like restaurants or ball parks. I rarely smoked in those places and when I did it was with as much consideration as possible to the people around me. Please don't paint us all with the same brush.

Yes, I have cancer but it's not smoking related. My ovaries are a loooong way from my lungs . I do wish I'd quit long ago but not necessarily because of my illness. Considering the stress I'm under now I picked a really lousy time to quit. It would have been much easier years ago. Even better if I had never started. But the fact is that I did start and now I'm suffering to stop. It really sucks and I admire anyone who's been able to quit more than a few weeks.

 

[C.Ann]

I think saying smoking is murder is extreme.

From reading this thread, I think there are some people on both sides that think their rights are more important than the other side's rights.

Cigarrette smoke triggers my asthma (if I am coughing, it is not "fake", I have cough-variant asthma). Because of this I avoid designated smoking areas, don't allow smoking in my home or car, and don't patronize places that tend to be full of smoke. It is my illness and my responsibility to control it. Smoking is legal, and smokers have every right to smoke in designated smoking areas, their home or car, and places that allow it.

That being said, I do think there are some inconsiderate smokers (those that smoke in non-designated areas, etc), just as there are inconsiderate non-smokers (those that try to make smokers guilty for smoking where it is allowed, etc.)

Both smokers and non-smokers have rights, and both should be considerate of the other.

-----------------------------------------------

The most intelligent, rational post on this entire thread!! Nice job!!

 

[wvrevy]

Ah, yes...the rabid non-smoker, painting all smokers as "murderers".

Here's a thought...if you're "allergic" to cigarette smoke, maybe you shouldn't stand or sit in a smoking area. If you are in a non-smoking area and some inconsiderate smoker is lighting up, maybe you could ask them not to, since it is a non-smoking area. If they refuse, or if you are not comfortable asking, I'm sure an usher (or cast member, or some form of employee) will be more than happy to ask them to extinguish their cigarette.

For me, as a smoker, I tend to treat others as I am treated. If some moron is standing beside me in an area where I am allowed to smoke and is making fake coughing or gagging noises...Sorry, but that's just going to cause me to react in the same fashion. I treat rudeness with rudeness, and I treat courtesy with respect and courtesy in kind. I believe I am a very courteous smoker (and my non-smoking DW has said as much to me in the past). But start that gagging and waving crap around me and I have no reason to treat you with any more respect than you are showing me.

For the record, since there seems to be this ongoing debate, I have NEVER seen a smoker deliberately blow smoke into anyone's face, so long as they were approached with some courtesy. But I have absolutely seen - many times - the whiny smoke-nazi's treat a smoker as if they are somehow less than human. Sorry, but if you treat someone that way, you don't deserve anything less than having smoke blown in your face. (Froggy, I'd have done the exact same thing you did...right down to the line about tossing him and his chair both in for a swim )

Basically, it just comes down to (sadly) uncommon courtesy. Treat people with respect, and you'll usually be treated the same, regardless of which side of the issue you happen to fall on. Tell them they "stink", however, and you're liable to not like the response you get (though it will certainly give you something else to whine about later ).

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I've been around smokers a long time, and I have no idea why you'd characterize this person as a "smoker", not a "sadistic creep." Normal people, which includes smokers, don't do this. Period. Normal people also do not sit there while people blow smoke at them, if they're prone to asthma attacks, and will not willingly die to prove a point. This supposed murder case will likely never happen.

Well, the time I was talking about was a time when we were at a very crowded baseball game. There were 5 of us in the group. We could not move elsewhere. There was no other place for us to go. So we ended up leaving very early and wasting our money because of a couple creeps who would not move. There were plenty of areas with 2 seats together. None with 5 seats together. No where to go but leave.

And yes. This has happened more than once to me and to her. Believe me or not. You will never know unless you experience it yourself.

Funny (not really) thing coming home. I got on the bus and a person walked on carrying her still lit cigarette (and busses are non-smoking). After she boarded, she sat there and used the seat next to her to put out the cigarette. The driver said nothing to her but did say something to me when I opened up the window to let the bus air out a bit. I said absolutely nothing to the person. Then, in the middle of the route, the driver stops at a corner (not a stop) and gets off and proceeds to smoke. It is not her time for a smoke break. It's her time to work and drive the bus and keep on schedule.
Because she stopped to smoke, we had to stop and wait several minutes for a train to go by (on it's normal schedule). If she had not taken her smoke break, we would have beat the train (as usual) and the people waiting to get on at the next stop after the train tracks wouldn't have been late to their doctor's appointment.

Another example of inconsiderate smokers who think of nothing but getting their fix.


I do believe that smokers have a right to harm themselves if they want. I just don't believe that they should be allowed to harm other people. And I never said that all smokers were murders. They aren't. People on both sides need to be considerate of each other. I never go to a smokers house and tell them to quit or that their house stinks. I never tell smokers that they stink (unless they ask me). I know it's a habit and/or addiction. And I can respect a person's choice to make to smoke. They are free to make that choice. Just as I have a choice not to smoke. But I have no choice to get up in the morning and go to work. And walk through the clouds of smoke to get into my building. I have no choice but to stand at a bus stop waiting with a hundred other people to go home at night. I can't afford a car and have no one that lives near me to take me home. So I stand there where there are smokers scattered throughout the stop. But smokers do have a choice to not smoke around other people. They do have a choice about when and where they smoke and how they affect other people.

In my life, I have come across a lot of mean spirited people. I have also come across many nice and conscientius people. Both smokers and non-smokers.

Wow. Indianapolis must be a pretty tough town. I live in New York (not exactly known for it's warm and fuzzy reputation) and I have never seen anyone do that, ever.

I was thinking the same thing! I'm in Chicago, never seen it happen like that.

Maybe in Sin City...(the comic, not Vegas)

Indiana is a smoking state. Indy only just went to non smoking laws in *most* public buildings just a couple months ago.
Indiana is the 46th worst state in regards to pregnant women smoking. In other words, we have more women who smoke while pregnant than 45 of 50 states.
Indiana has one of the highest ratios of smokers in the country. Higher than Illinois (Chicago) and New York.
I found the map that lists the rates in the country. http://www.statehealthfacts.kff.org...Status&subcategory=Smoking&topic=Smoking+Rate

So, yes, people here can be pretty rude about their smoking.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Ah, yes...the rabid non-smoker, painting all smokers as "murderers".

Here's a thought...if you're "allergic" to cigarette smoke, maybe you shouldn't stand or sit in a smoking area. If you are in a non-smoking area and some inconsiderate smoker is lighting up, maybe you could ask them not to, since it is a non-smoking area. If they refuse, or if you are not comfortable asking, I'm sure an usher (or cast member, or some form of employee) will be more than happy to ask them to extinguish their cigarette.

I don't go to smoking places and expect to not have smoke all around me.
And I have not problems with politely asking a person lighting up in a non-smoking area to not do so. I have done so many times. And usually get rude comments and/or actions.

And unfortunately, some places don't have non-smoking areas around here.
I can't even go to a club and see my fave DJs or dance because of all the smoke. I can't go to a bar and enjoy a nice drink because of the smoke. If I go to the places, I may stay for a little while, but then I have to leave soon due to all the smoke. Gee. It's really nice having to show up at a club at 9pm and have to leave by 11pm when things actually start getting going.
Makes for a very dull life. So I have to choose between living a life and having a life. You can't have both when you're allergic to smoke.

 

[Galahad]

Wow. Indianapolis must be a pretty tough town. I live in New York (not exactly known for it's warm and fuzzy reputation) and I have never seen anyone do that, ever.

We indeed have WAY too many smokers in Indiana. BUT, I live in Indy and have never seen anything like was described. In my observations it is the exception, not the rule, FWIW.

 

[wvrevy]

Ya know, I'd love to have a cat. DW's mom and step dad have a cat, and DD just loves the little furball. 'Course, I'm also an animal lover, and cats just seem like a great pet.

Only one problem...I'm deathly allergic to cat hair. So, guess what I do...

I avoid places that have cats. No long trips to MIL's house...even have to be careful going into a pet store. Even people that have cats at home (one of DW's best friends, who occassionally spends the night at our house when she and her family are in town) can cause me to have allergic reactions, just by the hair present on their clothes (and yes, the clothes are as "clean" as a washer and dryer can get them...doesn't matter).

So...Should we pass a law to ban cats, since I and many others out there could have drastic health problems if exposed to them?

Of course not. I must make allowances in my life for my health issue. I would never ask my MIL to get rid of her cat, nor would I forbid DW's friend from staying at our house (and saving on a hotel bill). We just make allowances, and work around my problem.

Oh, but smoking is somehow "different", right?

In short...it's your health problem, so you need to deal with it. I'd hardly say it is "considerate" to try to force everyone around you to change their life just so that you don't have to change yours.

Sorry...JMHO.

 

[DISUNC]

I think saying smoking is murder is extreme.

From reading this thread, I think there are some people on both sides that think their rights are more important than the other side's rights.

Cigarrette smoke triggers my asthma (if I am coughing, it is not "fake", I have cough-variant asthma). Because of this I avoid designated smoking areas, don't allow smoking in my home or car, and don't patronize places that tend to be full of smoke. It is my illness and my responsibility to control it. Smoking is legal, and smokers have every right to smoke in designated smoking areas, their home or car, and places that allow it.

That being said, I do think there are some inconsiderate smokers (those that smoke in non-designated areas, etc), just as there are inconsiderate non-smokers (those that try to make smokers guilty for smoking where it is allowed, etc.)

Both smokers and non-smokers have rights, and both should be considerate of the other.

 

[ChuckB]

Ah, yes...the rabid non-smoker, painting all smokers as "murderers".

Here's a thought...if you're "allergic" to cigarette smoke, maybe you shouldn't stand or sit in a smoking area. If you are in a non-smoking area and some inconsiderate smoker is lighting up, maybe you could ask them not to, since it is a non-smoking area. If they refuse, or if you are not comfortable asking, I'm sure an usher (or cast member, or some form of employee) will be more than happy to ask them to extinguish their cigarette.

For me, as a smoker, I tend to treat others as I am treated. If some moron is standing beside me in an area where I am allowed to smoke and is making fake coughing or gagging noises...Sorry, but that's just going to cause me to react in the same fashion. I treat rudeness with rudeness, and I treat courtesy with respect and courtesy in kind. I believe I am a very courteous smoker (and my non-smoking DW has said as much to me in the past). But start that gagging and waving crap around me and I have no reason to treat you with any more respect than you are showing me.

For the record, since there seems to be this ongoing debate, I have NEVER seen a smoker deliberately blow smoke into anyone's face, so long as they were approached with some courtesy. But I have absolutely seen - many times - the whiny smoke-nazi's treat a smoker as if they are somehow less than human. Sorry, but if you treat someone that way, you don't deserve anything less than having smoke blown in your face. (Froggy, I'd have done the exact same thing you did...right down to the line about tossing him and his chair both in for a swim )

Basically, it just comes down to (sadly) uncommon courtesy. Treat people with respect, and you'll usually be treated the same, regardless of which side of the issue you happen to fall on. Tell them they "stink", however, and you're liable to not like the response you get (though it will certainly give you something else to whine about later ).

I have to agree 100%, non-smoker in a smokers area ..... hold your breath ..... those who dont like my opinion ..... hold your breath till I start to care for your opinion ....

 

[ChuckB]

I just had a wonderful idea !!!!! all non smokers who have such a big problem with smokers ..... move to califonia ....smokers who have a big problem with non smokers move to washington state ..... and the rest of us will go on being considerate of each others rights and enjoy a much more peaceful state of being .......

 

[Teejay32]

Well, the time I was talking about was a time when we were at a very crowded baseball game. There were 5 of us in the group. We could not move elsewhere. There was no other place for us to go. So we ended up leaving very early and wasting our money because of a couple creeps who would not move. There were plenty of areas with 2 seats together. None with 5 seats together. No where to go but leave.

Tell me as you were leaving you accidentally dumped 5 beers in their laps. Please.