Should smoking be......

[4nana]

Very interesting thread. My brother and SIL are both heavy smokers. I visit them occassionally and usually end up in a coughing attack, as I am allergic. My brother is just 50yrs old and has several health problems - all related to his addiction. He has just recovered from major heart surgery and also has COPD. His drs have advised him to quit, as every cig he smokes is another nail in his coffin. He is a very loving Bro, good husband and father, an intelligent and kind person, with an excellent career. I ask myslef, why would he punish himself like this and what does it take for one to quit smoking??? We lost our Dad to esophageal cancer, from smoking in his younger yrs. It is difficult to watch, I feel like he is slowly commiting suicide and I can't do a thing to help .

 

[totalia]

I know the feeling 4nana. I'd give anything to have my mom back, anything (yes that includes my own life). I wish that she had listened to me, I wish I had pushed harder.

If not for the cigarette smoke, she would still be alive. We would still have the mom we need so much. My stepdad would still have his wife (two years after she died and he still wears his wedding ring). And my beautiful nephew would have his grandma. She would have seen my nephew being born, even possibly been by my sisters side when she was in labour.

All because of cigarettes. All because she wanted her next fix of the drug.

 

[chadfromdallas]

what about when I pull up to a stop light with my window down? I can smell smoke from other cars around me. if I can smell it, it's in MY lungs at that point. I guess I should have to drive around with my windows up. smokers are the most uncaring people in the world. they'll disregard rules to feed their addiction. watching people smoke in kid's areas in the parks makes me sick. nothing like standing in front of the castle and smelling smoke.

Oh come on now. What about all those cars out there putting out emissions into the air? I can smell it every time I go for a walk/run. I guess I should have to walk/run around in a self contained environment? Hell, SUV drivers are the most uncaring people in the world. All they care about is their nice ride and not that they are putting more emissions into the air than anyone else! Watching people drive around SUVs when they could figure out other options makes me sick.

 

[LoraJ]

While I don't think smoking should be illegal, I do think it should be banned in more public places.

I also think smokers who throw lit butts out of car windows and on the ground should be ticketed. During dry summers, I see so any fires started in parking lots because of this. Not to mention the time a one flew into my car.

 

[totalia]

Oh come on now. What about all those cars out there putting out emissions into the air? I can smell it every time I go for a walk/run. I guess I should have to walk/run around in a self contained environment? Hell, SUV drivers are the most uncaring people in the world. All they care about is their nice ride and not that they are putting more emissions into the air than anyone else! Watching people drive around SUVs when they could figure out other options makes me sick.

Car exhaust is another topic entirely. This topic was about smoking.

For the record, I think that people need to get out and walk more. Car exhaust is just as disgusting as cigarette fumes especially when environmentally friendly alternatives are available.

 

[totalia]

While I don't think smoking should be illegal, I do think it should be banned in more public places.

I also think smokers who throw lit butts out of car windows and on the ground should be ticketed. During dry summers, I see so any fires started in parking lots because of this. Not to mention the time a one flew into my car.

That happens all the time here.

In fact, when I was living in Calgary some idiot threw their cigarette out of their car window. It started a grass fire that took hours for the fire department to put out.

Some people have no consideration for anyone but themselves.

 

[sweet angel]

I have a couple things to say:

1. A person who has never smoked cannot truly question why a person who smokes won't/can't quit. If you haven't walked in those shoes, keep quiet. I'm sure 99% of us have no idea what it's like to be hooked on heroin or crack.

2. If you have quit, you know how difficult it is. If you have quit, you know that you didn't quit for someone else, you quit because you wanted to.

3. If all the smokers in the world quit smoking at all the same time, the world would be a damn scary place for a few weeks.

4. It must be nice to perfect, have no flaws, no vices...

 

[coach4448]

Originally Posted by Immelman
what about when I pull up to a stop light with my window down? I can smell smoke from other cars around me. if I can smell it, it's in MY lungs at that point. I guess I should have to drive around with my windows up. smokers are the most uncaring people in the world. they'll disregard rules to feed their addiction. watching people smoke in kid's areas in the parks makes me sick. nothing like standing in front of the castle and smelling smoke.

*nods emphatically*

Right..... there are no uncaring non-smokers.....

 

[sweet angel]

Of course not. Nor are there any caring smokers. Don't be ridiculous.

 

[SPAM]

i dont think neither groups are right nor is this thread going to end with, "i didn't see it that way. You were right." Both sides have good arguments and at the end of the day are going to do what they want to do. Thats what is so great about our country that we can do what we want (whether its smoking or not smoking) and debate about the issue. I dont think that people should be able to restrict someone's freedom to what they are doing to themselves.

 

[coach4448]

Of course not. Nor are there any caring smokers. Don't be ridiculous.

You've got to be kidding! ( I hope )

 

[chadfromdallas]

Car exhaust is just as disgusting as cigarette fumes especially when environmentally friendly alternatives are available.

This is the point I was making. Someone caring about cigarette smoke, when they are doing exactly the same with car exhaust.

 

[sweet angel]

My point earlier was that there are uncaring non-smokers, as well as caring non-smokers. There are also uncaring smokers, as well as caring smokers. One can't lump an entire group of people under one label.

I apologize if I misunderstood or was unclear...blame it on the early hour and lack of coffee.

 

[totalia]

i dont think neither groups are right nor is this thread going to end with, "i didn't see it that way. You were right." Both sides have good arguments and at the end of the day are going to do what they want to do. Thats what is so great about our country that we can do what we want (whether its smoking or not smoking) and debate about the issue. I dont think that people should be able to restrict someone's freedom to what they are doing to themselves.

And what makes you think they are just doing it to themselves huh?

It isn't just themselves that this is impacting. Not by a long shot. It is SMOKE. SMOKE travels. Smoke gets into other peoples lungs. SMOKE makes other people sick. Not to mention that a smokers suffering caused by smoking causes other people to suffer along with them.

 

[officer tigger]

Gotta throw my 2 cents in.

I'm glad here in Delaware smoking is banned at all indoor places. It's great to go out with the family to eat and not come out smelling like smoke.

 

[dturner]

It isn't just themselves that this is impacting. Not by a long shot. It is SMOKE. SMOKE travels. Smoke gets into other peoples lungs. SMOKE makes other people sick. Not to mention that a smokers suffering caused by smoking causes other people to suffer along with them.

Your right about SMOKE but SMOKE can come from other things besides cigarettes.

Personally, I think car exhaust is much more sickening, how many times have you been behind someone with awful car exhaust? Some times I wonder how some of these cars pass inspection - YUK!!!

My father smoked all the time I was growing up, I smelled it, probably inhaled more than I would ever know, DH smokes around me, so in 40+ years of life being right there with second hand smoke - I'm not sick, I have no illnesses and I have no lung cancer - am I just lucky??

Guess, I just don't get why some people are so ENRAGED with smokers.

 

[chadfromdallas]

Guess, I just don't get why some people are so ENRAGED with smokers.

The world is filled with many hypocrites

 

[totalia]

I don't like car exhaust either. If I come by a car that is running and the exhaust is blowing in my face, I hold my breath till I can get past it.

Its not hypocritical. I find it all disgusting. Including alcohol.

 

[sweet angel]

Its not hypocritical. I find it all disgusting. Including alcohol.

Wow...good thing we'll never meet. You'd hate me right off the bat. I smoke, drink AND drive an SUV.

 

[tinkerbee]

I have a couple things to say:

1. A person who has never smoked cannot truly question why a person who smokes won't/can't quit. If you haven't walked in those shoes, keep quiet. I'm sure 99% of us have no idea what it's like to be hooked on heroin or crack.

2. If you have quit, you know how difficult it is. If you have quit, you know that you didn't quit for someone else, you quit because you wanted to.

3. If all the smokers in the world quit smoking at all the same time, the world would be a damn scary place for a few weeks.

4. It must be nice to perfect, have no flaws, no vices...

I agree 100%