Do You Think Smoking Should be Banned??

[NaruNarusegawa]

I do have legs, and I do walk away, but not without giving the smoker a dirty look first.

Oh great, the holiar(sp?) than thou attitude. *rolls eyes*

"If I'm out in public somewhere, and I'm not around any smokers, but one just so happens to come along and light up a cigarette, they're the one that should be considerate enough to stay a good distance away, or at least ask if it's bothering me."

Why should they have to accomidate to you? What makes you so much better than them?

Sometimes people are just plain rude, and should think about other people."

Taking away rights of other people is pretty damn rude if you ask me, not counting the dirty looks you give other people just because they smoke. Yeesh.

"It seems like everyone says that if you don't like the smoke, stay away from the restaurant, walk away, don't go to places that allow it, but do you realize how much that restricts us, when smokers can go anywhere they damn well please and not have to worry about it?"

That's not true. My Mom smokes, and doesn't go to places where smoking isn't allowed. Unlike you, she actually respects other people enough to only smoke when it's allowed, and not expect the world to accomidate her every wishes as if she was queen of the world, ahem.

The rest of us would like to get out of our houses once in a while and not have to worry about dying by blackened lungs.

Oh PUH-LEEZE!! Talk about exaggerating. My boyfriend doesn't smoke, and is allergic to it, yet he has a very active social life going out. To act like you're totally restricted from the outside world because of smoking is complete bullshit.

"We have to go out. We do have lives."

No shit sherlock, and nonsmokers can go out freely and have lives. My bf is an example, and so is his Mother, and my Grandmother, and my cousin, and ect ect ect of people who can go out and have a life without smoking. Hell I don't smoke, I don't like the smell, and manage to have a goodtime in the outside world.

Smokers, on the other hand, don't care, because they're used to it and usually like it.

Actually the smokers I know do care. They don't go to the nonsmoking areas and smoke, they CHOOSE not to to respect nonsmokers, yet you CHOOSE to go to a smoking area, and then bitch.

"Sue me for wanting to be healthy.

So you've never ate at a fast food restaraunt? Never had an ice cream? Never ate a candy bar? Yeah right!!

You'll be  more likely to get hit by a car first... Oops! I know! Better stay away from those evil hunks of metal now!

LOL!!! Very true!! Let's ban driving in public places too.

To the people who complain about smokers, where do you go that you are in such distress over smokers? I do go out, and I rarely see one (seriously).

I wonder the same thing. The restaraunts I go to have a *VERY* big distance between the smoking and nonsmoking sections. You'd have to have the nose of a dog to smell it in the first place.

And I totally agree with pettyluv.

[Fyre]

I seriously doubt that if you spend 30 seconds inhaling smoke, that you'll die from blackened lungs.

Maybe I won't die from it, but it still does damage to my lungs, even if it is just a tiny bit. Every time you inhale it, it does more and more damage, and it adds up after awhile. I'd like to avoid that if I could.

To the people who complain about smokers, where do you go that you are in such distress over smokers? I do go out, and I rarely see one (seriously).

I live in a huge city. All I have to do is step out of my house and walk a few feet before I run into a smoker walking down the sidewalk. It's impossible to avoid.

Are you better than all the people that smoke?

Not at all. But it is common courtesy to have some respect for those around you. That's all I ask people to have, but I guess I'm asking too damn much.

Oh great, the holiar(sp?) than thou attitude. *rolls eyes*

What do you expect me to do? Put on a cheerful smile and happily skip along on my way? I'm sorry, but if I'm pissed off, I'm going to let the person know. We're taught to speak our minds, so why should I sugarcoat it? We don't live in a perfect world, and I'm not going to pretend that everything is fine when I'm mad.

Why should they have to accomidate to you?

I'm not asking them to, but is everyone is this world so rude that they don't take into consideration those around them?

Taking away rights of other people is pretty damn rude if you ask me.

So if I went around spitting on people, it would be okay? Nobody would mind if I hocked a wad of spit onto them? It's my right to do so, the same way it's your right to blow your smoke onto me. I'm sure you don't want my spit on you, much the same way I don't want your smoke on me.

not counting the dirty looks you give other people just because they smoke.

So you wouldn't give me a dirty look if, out of nowhere, I spit on you? I doubt that.

My Mom smokes, and doesn't go to places where smoking isn't allowed.

Because she's respectful. A lot of people are not.

Unlike you, she actually respects other people enough to only smoke when it's allowed.

Um..I don't smoke. You're implying that I smoke when it's not allowed, and that I'm disrespectable by doing so. Unless you meant something else by that, it doesn't apply to me.

..and not expect the world to accomidate her every wishes as if she was queen of the world, ahem.

Where did I say I was queen of the world? Yeah, I didn't think so. And I repeat, I'm not asking for people to accomodate me. I never once said that, so please don't put words into my mouth. Thanks.

To act like you're totally restricted from the outside world because of smoking is complete bullshit.

Again, please don't imply things that you don't know. I live in a large city, and all I have to do is step outside to be around people smoking. I can't go to clubs at night because of the amount of smoke. I can't even go to the food court in the mall without coming home and smelling like smoke.
I'm not restrected completely, but a lot of places where I'd like to go, I can't, because I can't stand the smell.

they CHOOSE not to to respect nonsmokers

Thank you for proving my point. They choose not to be respectful. That's what I've been saying all along.

So you've never ate at a fast food restaraunt? Never had an ice cream? Never ate a candy bar?

I haven't had ice cream in over a year. But that's different. Ice cream and fast food don't burn my throat. The smells of food don't disgust me. It doesn't affect me when people are around me eating. Smoke drifts; food does not.

[.Hunting:High:and:Low.]

I haven't had ice cream in over a year. But that's different. Ice cream and fast food don't burn my throat. The smells of food don't disgust me. It doesn't affect me when people are around me eating. Smoke drifts; food does not.

No, food doesn't. But you were complaining aobut how unhealthy smoking is, and yet you pollute your body with additives, preservatives, and fattening foods, which is more harmful considering the risks for diabetes, heart disease, obesity, etc. Second hand smoking doesn't add up as much as the stuff you put into your body.

[Selina21]

fuzzySlippers:

May I ask you what does second hand smoking mean?

[NaruNarusegawa]

"Maybe I won't die from it, but it still does damage to my lungs, even if it is just a tiny bit. Every time you inhale it, it does more and more damage, and it adds up after awhile. I'd like to avoid that if I could."

The fattening food YOU put in your own body damages even if by a tiny bit.

"But it is common courtesy to have some respect for those around you. That's all I ask people to have, but I guess I'm asking too damn much.

Every smoker I know have common courtesy to not smoke close to nonsmokers, but the nonsmokers by their own choose to stand next to them, and bitch. Maybe you should have common courtesy for yourself, and *GASP* WALK AWAY.

I live in a huge city. All I have to do is step out of my house and walk a few feet before I run into a smoker walking down the sidewalk. It's impossible to avoid.

Oh, puh-leeze. I live in a big city myself, Orlando FL right smack in the city, and it is NOT like that at all.

The only smoke you MAY smell is that from CARS. Should we ban vehicles now?

What do you expect me to do? Put on a cheerful smile and happily skip along on my way? I'm sorry, but if I'm pissed off, I'm going to let the person know. We're taught to speak our minds, so why should I sugarcoat it? We don't live in a perfect world, and I'm not going to pretend that everything is fine when I'm mad.

So when a person decides to smoke, and then you walk by them, you should be pissed at them who usually are there first? That makes no sense to me.

Just because you choose not to smoke doesn't mean you're any less rude, or any better than the rest of the world.

"So if I went around spitting on people, it would be okay? Nobody would mind if I hocked a wad of spit onto them? It's my right to do so, the same way it's your right to blow your smoke onto me. I'm sure you don't want my spit on you, much the same way I don't want your smoke on me."

I've NEVER met a smoker who spits their smoke on nonsmokers face. That's also, complete bullshit. Most of them keep them distance from you people, yet YOU choose to go close to them.

Like at restaraunts, the smoking section is usually a good 15 feet away. Do you go and sit next to the smokers in *their* section just so you can complain about it later?

I knew a guy who didn't smoke, and when my Mom would go outside at her workplace to smoke to respect him. He'd follow her outside, and then stand 15 feet away from her at the parking lot covering his mouth during her break, just to be a complete ASSHOLE.

[NaruNarusegawa]

"So you wouldn't give me a dirty look if, out of nowhere, I spit on you? I doubt that."

And smokers don't blow their smoke right in your face either.

"Um..I don't smoke. You're implying that I smoke when it's not allowed, and that I'm disrespectable by doing so. Unless you meant something else by that, it doesn't apply to me."

I was saying my Mother was being respectful, and every smoker I knew were very respectful when it came to smoking. It's usually the nonsmokers that tend to be the rude ones, and I'm a nonsmoker myself.

"And I repeat, I'm not asking for people to accomodate me. I never once said that, so please don't put words into my mouth."

Expecting restaraunts to not allow smoking, and people to not smoking in your precious presence IS expecting the world to accomodate you in my opinion.

"Again, please don't imply things that you don't know. I live in a large city, and all I have to do is step outside to be around people smoking. I can't go to clubs at night because of the amount of smoke. I can't even go to the food court in the mall without coming home and smelling like smoke.  
I'm not restrected completely, but a lot of places where I'd like to go, I can't, because I can't stand the smell."

Oh bullshit. I live in a BIG city, and EVERY mall I've been to has been completely NON SMOKING in the entire Mall. I have a VERY hard time believing every mall in your city allows smokers, bullshit.

"they CHOOSE not to to respect nonsmokers

Thank you for proving my point. They choose not to be respectful. That's what I've been saying all along."

No I wasn't proving your point. You took that the wrong way, let me put it better.

They choose not to, TO BE RESPECTFUL. I have the word "to" twice.

"I haven't had ice cream in over a year. But that's different. Ice cream and fast food don't burn my throat. The smells of food don't disgust me. It doesn't affect me when people are around me eating. Smoke drifts; food does not."

Smoke barely drifts at all. Like I said, every nonsmoking section I've been in with my boyfriend, there hasn't been any problems involving him with the smoke 15 feet away, and he's VERY allergic to it.

"But you were complaining aobut how unhealthy smoking is, and yet you pollute your body with additives, preservatives, and fattening foods, which is more harmful considering the risks for diabetes, heart disease, obesity, etc. Second hand smoking doesn't add up as much as the stuff you put into your body."

Very true!!

[.Hunting:High:and:Low.]

May I ask you what does second hand smoking mean?

Selina, why do you ask that? Just wondering, because from what I get of this you're either asking me what it really does mean, or you are implying that I don't know what 2nd hand smoking/smoke is, or something that I haven't gathered from your question.   hehe

But in answer to your question, I take SHS as to mean the breathing in of smoke from a smoker's cigarette or cigar... But just to clarify even more, I think what I meant to type was second hand smoke, not smoking per se. Hands go faster than the thought process.  ;D

[Fyre]

But you were complaining aobut how unhealthy smoking is, and yet you pollute your body with additives, preservatives, and fattening foods, which is more harmful considering the risks for diabetes, heart disease, obesity, etc. Second hand smoking doesn't add up as much as the stuff you put into your body.

Point taken. I realize that some of that stuff is not very healthy, but I don't eat it a lot. When I do, it's on a quick lunch break or when I don't have time to cook. I can't eat healthy every second of the day, and when you're hungry and need food, you'll take what's available. And like I said, food doesn't bother me. I'd rather fattening food go into my body than cigarette smoke that burns my lungs. I can actually feel the effects of smoke, whereas food I cannot.

The fattening food YOU put in your own body damages even if by a tiny bit.

Yes, but a person has to eat. A person does not have to smoke. So if it damages my body a little bit, at least it's for a good reason. I can't very well starve myself.

Every smoker I know have common courtesy to not smoke close to nonsmokers.

I'm glad. But I do know smokers that don't give a shit, and I think it's kind of rude.

but the nonsmokers by their own choose to stand next to them, and bitch.

I don't know any non-smokers that intentionally stand next to smokers. That's just utter stupidity on their part. I try to keep as much distance as I possibly can.

Oh, puh-leeze. I live in a big city myself, Orlando FL right smack in the city, and it is NOT like that at all.

How can you compare the two? Not all cities are alike. I've lived here for a good while, I think I know how it is, rather than somebody who has never been here, or lived here. I don't go around making assumptions about where you live, so I'd appreciate it if you did the same.

The only smoke you MAY smell is that from CARS.

Sorry, no it isn't. I can tell the difference between car exhaust and cigarette smoke. There are a ton of people here that walk down the street smoking. You're telling me that when I'm outside around them, I'm not smelling their smoke, but cars? I don't think so.

when a person decides to smoke, and then you walk by them, you should be pissed at them who usually are there first? That makes no sense to me.

That's not what I'm saying. I'm talking about if I'm there first, and a smoker comes along and lights up. If I walk by them, of course it's my own fault, and I wouldn't blame it on them. I'm not that cold.

Like at restaraunts, the smoking section is usually a good 15 feet away.

Not always. I've been to restaurants before where the two sections are seperated by a mere curtain, and you're only 5 feet away. I pretty much stopped going to those places.

And smokers don't blow their smoke right in your face either.

Some of them do. Sometimes it's intentional, sometimes it's not, but it still drifts that way.

Oh bullshit. I live in a BIG city, and EVERY mall I've been to has been completely NON SMOKING in the entire Mall.

So just because your malls are non-smoking, that makes every mall in the entire world that way, also? Before I moved, a mall I went to all the time was smoking, including the food court. It was that way for years, but a couple of years ago, they banned smoking in the food court, but not the rest of the mall. And a couple of the malls up here are the same way.

Which brings me to another question. You say that since restaurants are privately owned, it's the owner's decision whether or not to allow smoking? Well, malls are privately owned also, so why do you find it so hard to believe that some of them do allow it?

No I wasn't proving your point. You took that the wrong way, let me put it better.

They choose not to, TO BE RESPECTFUL. I have the word "to" twice.

Okay, my apologies. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Selina21]

Sorry FuzzySlippers:

I did not make sence what I meant  was I do not know what Second Hand smoking is

[It's~A~Nova]

[glow=pink,2,300]FuzzySlippers~Maybe it doesn't add up to the stuff she puts in her body but...it's her body. If she wants to eat fattening foods, etc. it's her choice. It should also be her choice if she doesn't want to have her lungs tainted by smoke, especially in public places.[/glow]

[.Hunting:High:and:Low.]

Pandora: Agreed. But I don't think one should complain about SHS (second hand smoke) when there are much more serious things that can harm one's health. But I also feel that a smoker does have the right to smoke and that SHS is way over rated. But that's just me. I respect her opinion of not wanting smoke in her lungs, it doesn't smell all that great to me either, but I do recognize the fact that a bit of smoke is not going to do that much damage compared to other things in life. You need to put things into perspective. There are things all around us that could literally kill us at any moment (e.g. cars), but you hear of not one person who wants them banned because it could harm your health and well being at any moment. <shrugs> I dunno, that's just what I think.

[80s Child]

I agree FuzzySlippers.
I see nothing wrong with smoking out on the sidewalk, because sidewalks are public places that everyone uses, and furthermore it's outside, so it's not that bad. I also don't have a problem with it in bars, because if you're of age (or close enough) to go to one, then you can make up your own mind about it. Restaurants are more of a problem, but as long as the smoking and non-smoking sections are well separated and ventilated, I don't see the problem. Anyway that's all I have to say on the subject.

[1.gurl.revolution]

i don't want to start a new agrument (i really hate fighting) but when my sister was my age (16) she saw a guy at the movies smoking with his family around him. she yelled out in a rude tone in his direction "you know that you're gonna die sonner if you do that?!" he said that she didn't know that b/c she didn't know when anyone was gonna die. the ironic part of this is no matter how many times she talked to me about my grandma dying of lung cancer, or my aunt having a smokers cough, the day that she turned 18, she bought a pack of cigarettes. she told me later that she had been smoking about a year before hand, but she just couldn't buy them herself. i guess what i'm trying to say is that you can't say that "i'm never gonna smoke" or "smokers are gonna die before non-smokers" because you can't predict that. no one can.

[Ich Liebe Rammstein]

^^^^^^
That was a great story And I agree................... ;D

[Dave Herald]

i don't want to start a new agrument (i really hate fighting)

Aw, we're not fighting. It's just a fun debate.

i guess what i'm trying to say is that you can't say that "i'm never gonna smoke" or "smokers are gonna die before non-smokers" because you can't predict that. no one can.

I agree with that. Even though I don't smoke, I can't say that I'll live longer than somebody who does. But you do have to admit, they are putting themselves at a higher risk.

And I will not speak on behalf of anyone else, but for me, personally, I *can* say that "I'm never gonna smoke." I simply never had an urge to. I was never even curious. My sister smokes, as does my best friend, and even being around them, I never wanted to try it. Even when I was of legal age to buy cigarettes, I never did, and I guarantee that I never will.