Smoking

[Overmars]

I am a smoker since I was about 16 and a lot of people have told me to quit and they told all the bad consequences of smoking, which I already knew, and I basically told them to mind their own business. But lately the number of anti-smoking campaigns has grown, it has become impossible to walk on the street without seeing a big "Don't smoke!" type poster. Seeing anti-smoking billboards doesn't bother me, what irks me is that this campaigns make smokers look like the scum of the society, the ones responsible for all the bad things that happen in this world. They put smoking as a major polluting factor, next to cars and factories, they claim that smoking does awful things to your health, thus ignoring alcohol, drugs, etc, they banned smoking in most bars, restaurants, clubs and increase cigarettes prices. Are there any "proud" smokers on this forum? What are your feelings towards anti-smoking campaigns?

[leo-rcc]

I'm not a smoker, but I have have the same feelings about those campaigns as you do. Smokers are not scum, they are not responsible for all that is bad in society, and do not pollute the world any more than non smokers do.

That said I am glad the restaurants I visit are now smoke-free, because I can enjoy the smell and taste of the food more.

[Eilonnwy]

I smoke off and on. I can say that even as a smoker I prefer restaurants to be free of smoke. I in fact rarely smoke inside, I don't like the way it hangs in the air. I don't mind the anti-smoking ads, because if it prevents a teenager from picking up the habit, then it's worth it. I have been smoking again for a few months and will not let my 11 year old see me smoke, I doubt she knows that I do. I don't want her to pick it up herself. I wish I had never done it as a child. I do, however, have a problem with people who go on their anti-smoking tirades. I'm quite aware of the dangers and it's my personal choice. I've had a couple of friends give me a real hard time for smoking and it's incredibly annoying.

[Ace Otana]

I agree with you. Though I do also agree with no smoking in public areas. Since many who don't smoke would like to go on their day to day buisness without breathing in other peoples smoke. I hate it, can't stand the smell of it. But smokers are not scum and should be allowed to smoke without so many warnings and people and posters putting them down.

My little sis has not long ago started smoking. She has been told to smoke outside but other than that she's left alone. I think she started it out of getting attention and joining in with her friends. Typical behaviour from her.

I turned down smoking because it can do harm and I can live quiet well without it. But I'm not bothered by anyone who smokes, just as long as I don't end up breathing it in.

[Eilonnwy]

There is a piece of legislation in Massachusetts that if passed, would require smokers go 25 feet from the entrances of public buildings. I certainly don't support that.

[Darwinian]

Personally I wish that they would ban smoking completely. That way, I wouldn't be able to buy any therefore I would have to give up..

[Eilonnwy]

And then they should legalize weed. -_^

[Overmars]

And then they should legalize weed. -_^

If they would legalize weed, I might quit smoking tabbaco

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Most of my friends are smokers, so they don't mind the smoke, but when I am with non-smokers I abstain myself from smoking indoors and get outside for a quick cig. I also heard that health organizations are exaggerating the bad effects smoking has on our health, their studies aren't very reliable and have been rejected by a federal court.

[Tiberius]

they claim that smoking does awful things to your health, thus ignoring alcohol, drugs, etc, they banned smoking in most bars, restaurants, clubs and increase cigarettes prices

Whilst I think banning it completely is a bad idea (I'm for legalizing all drugs), I do agree with keeping it out of public places, because it is a drug that can harm other people as well as yourself. Alcohol doesn't harm other people when you drink it, but smoking does (second-hand smoke, etc).

Anti-smoking campaigns are good, because they are highlighting the fact that this is dangerous. Everyone has the liberty to do whatever they want with their body, but if a substance can be harmful, or doctors do not recommend it, then this should be made aware. With that in mind, I'm all for putting warning labels on alcohol and other abusive substances when they become legal

[Overmars]

Whilst I think banning it completely is a bad idea (I'm for legalizing all drugs), I do agree with keeping it out of public places, because it is a drug that can harm other people as well as yourself. Alcohol doesn't harm other people when you drink it, but smoking does (second-hand smoke, etc).

Drunk driving can endanger a lot of lives, but that depends on the responsibility of the person who drinks it.

Anti-smoking campaigns are good, because they are highlighting the fact that this is dangerous. Everyone has the liberty to do whatever they want with their body, but if a substance can be harmful, or doctors do not recommend it, then this should be made aware. With that in mind, I'm all for putting warning labels on alcohol and other abusive substances when they become legal

I agree, I would never encourage somebody to start smoking, but these campaigns make smokers looks like selfish, pathetic, assholes, that's what I find annoying.