Re: Smoking free county
Originally Posted by
shropshiregirl
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Okay, at the risk of being lynched on here.
As an ex-smoker, maybe my thinking is outdated, but I truly believe that there should be less of a patronising attitude by non-smokers towards smokers. As someone said, smoking is not illegal, so no-one has the right to say it shouldn't be allowed.
I think a lot has been achieved to eradicate the danger from passive smoking such as banning it in every public building and children's outdoor spaces. Even beaches. That is a good thing. Even smokers don't mind and accept that it is the law and must be obeyed (granted, they don't like standing outside in all weathers to have their smoke).but remember, even smokers want to protect children or not have smoke blown at them while they are eating a meal in a restaurant.
But to stigmatize a smoker as someone not fit to walk this earth as comments have always done whenever this topic comes up, is frankly rude and unkind to law-abiding, respectful people who happen to smoke.
Most of them follow the rules and are respectful in their smoking habit towards non-smokers. They have been left with only the fresh air outside to smoke, and smoke they do. If it is the misfortune that non-smokers happen to be in the vicinity of that smoker, Tough, smokers have learned to live with all the anti-smoking laws so maybe it is time for non-smokers to learn to be more tolerant and respectful in their attitude towards smokers. If it is their misfortune to come across a smoker, instead of the glaring look of disapproval (which you have absolutely no right to give) why don't you try using a bit of decorum, and just walk away and leave them alone to enjoy their cigarette.
Regardless of how you feel about smoking and smokers, stop treating them like lepers.
I don't have anyone smoking in my home. That is my personal choice, but I would never stop them smoking on the deck or in the garden, (I always provide ashtrays),and I happily join them out there. I would never dream of treating them as a them and us. Totally unacceptable. They are famiy, friends, neighbours. Why on earth would I make them ever feel uncomfortabe and unaccepted in my world.
Besides, most people will be priced out of buying cigarettes soon anyway. I was shocked to learn that a packet of 20 Silk Cut (which I used to smoke up to 6 years ago) now costs over £11.00 a packet!! Unbelievable.
You'll not be lynched by me Shropshiregirl.
What an exceptional post. I smoked for thirty five years before I had a heart attack in 2004, after which I never touched a fag again, and to be honest, I never even missed them. Whether the heart attack was caused by smoking we will never know, but I'm glad I stopped when I did....Every Cloud....
Not every respiratory illness is caused by passive smoking but the hand wringing holier than thou brigade would have you believe that's the case. A wiff of smoke carried on the wind may send some people nauseous but in my opinion is relatively harmless, far less harmless than breathing in exhaust fumes and recirculated air from air conditioning units. Most of the aggression towards smokers is a knee jerk reaction instigated by the media and perpetuated by the professional complainers and easily offended brigade.
My Mum worked for 45 years as a bus conductor on smoke filled buses, never smoked a fag in her life, and died at the age of 86 from something totally unrelated to smoking. I don't smoke anymore and am glad to see that less young people are taking on the habit, I used to hate having to carry my life support around in my pocket (fags and lighter) especially on holiday when wearing budgie smugglers and there is nowhere to carry them....
Now it's just spectacles I have to carry......
So next time you see a smoker trying to light their fag in a howling gale, go up and give them a hug and a smile, and help to shelter them from the wind......