Now, I’ve got to say that I have just about had it with the smokers. If you choose to smoke, that’s fine, but please remember the damage you are potentially doing to yourself and to others and remember that you ultimately choose to keep smoking.
A few days back I was waiting at my lcoal bus stop to go to the gym. I was the only one there, it was past rush hour. Soon, a young man joined me. He came into the bus shelter and lit up a cigarette, which filled the shelter with smoke. He could’ve stepped away from the stop, but he didn’t. I was forced to walk away in order to get some fresh air. I commented about this on Facebook and Twitter.
The smokers exploded (not literally)(unfortunately, in some cases).
In the ensuing 24 hours, I had the following comments aimed at me:
- You’re all bloody do-gooders.
- Why don’t you complain about the government not taking cigarettes off the shelf?
- Wherever we smoke, we will annoy someone so why bother making an effort?
- I understand non-smokers are bothered by our habit, but the laws are getting bloody ridiculous.
- We are treated like Lepers.
And my personal favourite:
- I’m not a smoker who expects sympathy, but some people do get sanctimonious.
This was then quickly followed by:
- I don’t think we should follow each other any more [on twitter] if you feel that way about smokers (sob sob) (and if that’s not a call for sympathy …? I was, naturally, gutted that this complete stranger didn’t want to follow me on twitter any more. Not.)
First, let me get this straight – I never said I dislike smokers. That was a massive over reaction from Miss Idon’twantsympathy. Dare I say it, some of my best friends are smokers.
That sounds utterly ridiculous, but it happens to be true.
I don’t dislike smokers, I have a problem with smokers who complain about the smoking bans and claim that they are treated unfairly. None of my friends have ever made such a complaint. This is up there with my previous rants on faith schools; on facebook and – verbally, not on here – on driving. If the smoking bans bother you, choose not to be subject to them by quitting.
And as for the government not taking them off the shelf – why should they? Why not just keep on increasing the taxes on them? As long as there are idiots out there willing to keep paying thoses taxes, why stop collecting them? Those taxes can then go on schools, roads and hospitals (something I’m sure most smokers will need to avail themselves of one day). The things those taxes pay for are probably the only benefits non-smokers will ever get from smoking.
Smokers, stop complaining that you have no rights. This is not like the rights of black people or homosexuals or other minoroties, because you have the right to quit. If you choose not to avail yourself of that right, then you choose to be limited by the law.
Sanctimonious and proud of it.
Psych Babbler
October 12, 2011
I hear you…but unlike you, I tend to dislike smokers. I guess I dislike their lack of concern for others and smoking right in your face. I have a very sensitive nose to the smell of smoke and it makes me sick. I say go ahead and ban smoking in public places…all of them. That way, the only person they are killing is themselves in their own home!
kirbyakasid
October 13, 2011
See, I dislike those smokers – the ones who smoke in your face; the ones like the guy at my bus stop. I know a lot of considerate smokers, though, so I can’t tar them all with the same brush. I do wish they’d quit.
I agree on a ban in public places, but in their own homes? What about their children and their pets?
Just a thought.