slo’s WEDNESDAY 6/28 poll - Looking at/Watching Smoking

[BlueStarryHat]

Old movies have so much smoking I can't let it bother me or else I wouldn't enjoy the film. In today's movies and TV it annoys me just a little, if I'm being honest.

On the good news front, one of the smokers in my house-my aunt-has quit. She had several instances of not being able to get a full breath this past month, and the hospital told her she had the beginnings of COPD, but that if she stopped smoking she might not need treatment. They gave her a rescue inhaler. She was freaked out and scared enough that she quit. Her brother died of COPD and Emphysema. My cousin says she'll stop too, but I really doubt she will.

 

[MamaMermaid]

It doesn't bother me and I'm indifferent. That said, I don't want to be near anyone smoking in real life.

 

[tvguy]

I ignore it even though both my parents smokes and both my parents died of lung cancer.

While the percentage of Americans who smoke has fallen to about 10%, it is hard to strike a balance between the rights of smokers and the rights of non-smokers. Smoke does not observe the borders of smoking areas.

It is a huge issue in the cruise industry now. Hard for them to ban smoking.....and some ships did temporarily and it failed. And smokers make it tough on the cruise lines economically because they tend to spend way more in the casinos and on alcohol than non-smokers. And through in the International nature of the passengers on a cruise ship, some from nations where smoking restrictions are actually illegal, it is a tough tough issue.

 

[fla4fun]

This particular incident only bothers me from the standpoint that WDW parks are supposed to be smoke free. As someone allergic to smoke, it would be bad for me to walk by a construction wall at Disney and breathe in smoke from the construction workers. If outside vendors are working in a smoke free environment while it is open to the public, I feel they should have to abide by the same rules and have a designated smoking area away from the customers.

That being said, I am a realist. I know people smoke and I know people drink, so while I don’t do either, it doesn’t bother me to see it represented in media. In some cases, such as Mad Men, it would seem strange not to see it represented as it was so much a part of the culture at the time. I remember there was some debate as to how to incorporate the fact that Walt Disney was a smoker into the movie Saving Mr. Banks, and they compromised by giving him a smoker’s cough instead of showing him with a cigarette.

I prefer they not emphasize the activity as “cool” (or whatever the current teen term would be) and limit any depiction of minors (even if the actors portraying them are legal adults). I think it’s important to make smoking and drinking as unappealing to minors as possible. However, there isn’t a lot that can be done about smoking in a news video if not showing the smoker means you can’t cover the story.

 

[PollyannaMom]

It doesn't bother me to see it on TV, and I wouldn't want to give up old shows and movies to see it disappear from the screen completely.

 

[tvguy]

It doesn't bother me to see it on TV, and I wouldn't want to give up old shows and movies to see it disappear from the screen completely.

Smoking used to be much more in focus in old TV show. I love this show open from Father Knows Best. The sponsor, Kent cigarettes are in the open of the show, and Robert Young of the show, picks up the cigarette and takes a drag, all in the show open.
https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf...#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:0f1d14a0,vid:O64pR4IfYB0

 

[BrianL]

It doesn't really bother me, but it can depend in the context.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I Love Lucy was sponsored by Philip Morris. Lucy and Ricky smoked like chimneys. Yet it's one of my favorite shows. I can't see giving it up because of that.

 

[darnheather]

While seeing it in movies etc doesn't bother me I like the warnings so I can talk to my kids about it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Smoking used to be much more in focus in old TV show. I love this show open from Father Knows Best. The sponsor, Kent cigarettes are in the open of the show, and Robert Young of the show, picks up the cigarette and takes a drag, all in the show open.
https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf...#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:0f1d14a0,vid:O64pR4IfYB0

HA, all I am thinking there is how he must stink.

Past smoker here, age 13 to 27. 2 packs a day, no filter Camels. Today I can't stand cigarettes, knowing how bad they are for society in general, individuals in specific. Seeing smoking in old movies almost looks like a joke today, but was part of life back then. Seeing smoking in a current movie is more jarring, knowing as we do today.

Some years back, there was an outside worker working on fire suppression equipment in a stairwell at the Disney Swan hotel. I was staying there. He had the inside door to the hall propped open. There is no smoking anywhere in the hotel. He was smoking in the stairwell while he was working. The hotel corridor stunk like a bar from 30 years ago. When I was leaving for the parks for the day, I stopped by the front desk, asked if outside workers were allowed to smoke in the hotel, in the stairwell. The answer was no. They said they would send security right away to inform the worker.

 

[Dan Murphy]

On the good news front, one of the smokers in my house-my aunt-has quit. She had several instances of not being able to get a full breath this past month, and the hospital told her she had the beginnings of COPD, but that if she stopped smoking she might not need treatment. They gave her a rescue inhaler. She was freaked out and scared enough that she quit. Her brother died of COPD and Emphysema.

Wonderful news, BSH!!!

 

[ronandannette]

I ignore it even though both my parents smokes and both my parents died of lung cancer.

While the percentage of Americans who smoke has fallen to about 10%, it is hard to strike a balance between the rights of smokers and the rights of non-smokers. Smoke does not observe the borders of smoking areas.

It is a huge issue in the cruise industry now. Hard for them to ban smoking.....and some ships did temporarily and it failed. And smokers make it tough on the cruise lines economically because they tend to spend way more in the casinos and on alcohol than non-smokers. And through in the International nature of the passengers on a cruise ship, some from nations where smoking restrictions are actually illegal, it is a tough tough issue.

I both smoke and cruise - what cruiselines allow smoking in the casinos? I wasn't aware of that, or of any other indoor smoking at all, with the exception of Princess's cigar lounges which are actually designated for cigar smoking only. Personally, we're 20 years out of the habit of indoor smoking and probably wouldn't be able to make ourselves do it, even if we could. It would just seem too weird.

 

[tvguy]

I both smoke and cruise - what cruiselines allow smoking in the casinos? I wasn't aware of that, or of any other indoor smoking at all, with the exception of Princess's cigar lounges which are actually designated for cigar smoking only. Personally, we're 20 years out of the habit of indoor smoking and probably wouldn't be able to make ourselves do it, even if we could. It would just seem too weird.

Princess
NCL
RCCL (but only during the hours the casino is open)
Carnival (but only if you are seated and actively gambling)
allow smoking in their casinos

EDIT: HAL also allows smoking in the casino.
https://www.thestreet.com/travel/ca... on a cruise ship,has always been a tradition.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I lost both parents and several other relatives to smoking-related illnesses. I have almost a PTSD reaction when I see someone smoking in public. But movies and TV feel different to me, not real.

 

[ronandannette]

Princess
NCL
RCCL (but only during the hours the casino is open)
Carnival (but only if you are seated and actively gambling)
allow smoking in their casinos

EDIT: HAL also allows smoking in the casino.
https://www.thestreet.com/travel/carnival-owned-cruise-line-makes-smoking-move-royal-caribbean-watches#:~:text=Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise,Here's why that could change.&text=Smoking on a cruise ship,has always been a tradition.

Thanks - I had no idea. We never go into the casinos, unless it's just to get from one place to the other.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

It does not bother me one bit. I grew up in a different era when it was just a normal thing.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

I haven't given it much thought. But it doesn't bother me.
I do watch alot of old movies ( TCM viewer here) and realize smoking was everywhere then and has gradually faded now.

 

[tzolkin]

Context is key. If we are talking about older films and tv programs that were filmed in or represent periods where smoking was prevalent and acceptable, I am fine with it. New media should not generally show it as it is shunned in most places.

But, people do still smoke and among some families or groups it's still fairly common. So, if a film is trying to depict "reality", for some characters that reality would include smoking.

I don't like to see anyone smoking in the media because it gives the impression that it is an acceptable activity.

I don't think it gives that impression at all. I actually think it tends to do the opposite. Any time I have seen a character smoking in a recent film or tv show, they are always either the villain or they are using the smoking to indicate that the person is "troubled" in some way-- drug addict, uneducated, in poverty, unable to manage their life stress, etc.

Yes, in the past smoking was more glamorized in media, but I don't think that has happened in the last few decades.

It does not bother me one bit. I grew up in a different era when it was just a normal thing.

I always find these threads interesting to see just how different people's life experiences are. To me, smoking is still a "normal thing". I see people smoking every day. I know that it is looked down upon by most and that smokers are now the minority, but I still think it's a fairly common thing that many people are exposed to in their daily lives. It's eye-opening for me to imagine that there are people and places who see smoking IRL so infrequently that they would feel the need to have a warning before viewing an image or a brief scene of a character smoking.

 

[Dan Murphy]

To me, smoking is still a "normal thing". I see people smoking every day. I know that it is looked down upon by most and that smokers are now the minority, but I still think it's a fairly common thing that many people are exposed to in their daily lives

Are you located in the US or elsewhere?

 

[LuvOrlando]

Vaping bothers me more now because everyone knows smoking cancer sticks is bad, many people do it because it is so addictive but it is rare for someone to insist it is safe. People who smoke have my compassion but that doesn't mean it is ok to make more people who struggle, not the same thing.

These days advertisers are trying to normalize vaping and it is probably thousands of times more harmful.