Since when is smoking such a crime?

[HeathcliffMoorland]

I don't smoke. I never have (this is not a reference to the other thread, btw).

I find it unpleasant. Because of my field of work, I am more aware than most people of the health dangers. I would NEVER promote smoking.

If someone smokes in the same room as one of my children, I take the child away.

However, I've noticed a recent increase in the number of people talking about smokers almost like they're criminals, or disgusting people, or generally offensive because they smoke... It's not like they actually want to be addicted (for the most part, anyway).

It really does seem like there's a recent increase in intensity of people's negative reactions to smokers.

People seem very precious about the whole thing, or something like that. Anyone else noticed this?

Since people realised it can kill you, maybe?

Did you read my post?

And that it stinks...

OMG booboo i have to follow you around i think
i used to be frannyandzooey
i didn't know there were other glass siblings on here

C and G, so do many things.

The shift in attitude has come about since the smoking ban IMO. Now it seems weird to think of smoking inside; people's tolerance to it has decreased.

I wish they would just ban it TBH.

And I say that as a smoker.

I agree with you Heathcliff; I don't smoke and don't particularly like it but have noticed some really vitriolic comments about smokers which I find totally OTT. Plenty of threads seem to actively encourage and support social drinking and no one gets really arsey about it. I am well aware that I drink far too much but never receive any adverse comments either in RL or MN.

Makes sense to me too, tethersend.

Franny, I sooo wanted to be Franny Glass, but someone has claimed it. In my dreams, I am that misunderstood waif.
But seriously, is it not a good thing that smoking is demonised? I think it's great. It's really not considered cool anymore, and thank god.

Could it be that people are beginning to feel less sympathy for the poor addicts?

There are millions of people who have given up, there is all sorts of free support available, the facts about smoking-related illnesses are irrefutably proven, and now people just have a bit less respect for the people who won't pack it in?

Just a theory.

Addiction isn't necessarily just a matter of 'packing it in'.

Some people find it much harder.

I feel sorry for the addicts. I'm sure they don't want lung cancer.

I don't think making them feel like the devil himself will help them give up.

Yes, I have noticed it. I smoke, and I love smoking and have no intention of stopping. But the anti smoking lobby ASH has been funded by the government for years, even although the government is pleased to receive huge tabacco taxes. The paradox is not lost on me. It's part of a general trend in policing the masses. I actually think there is something rather malevolent about the trend. Today, it's smokers, tomorrow it could just as likely be fat people, chinese people, red haired people.

I don't think people see just how laws and loss of freedoms creep up on them. Or are happy to assume the policy makers know best.

What bothers me is the cacophony of abuse nurses are getting for standing in the side entrance of the hospital having a smoke. It's so nasty, unflattering, unhealthy, blah blah. But the nurse is still the person who will come to your aid, may save your life. Why dp people want to strip away all rights? It's not illegal for god's sake. But, Mrs Bouquet is intoxicated on her own self righteousness.

Annoyed, yes
Off for a fag.

Quite agree.

I've not long given up. I had to, I was killing myself, but, I can't stand the anti smoking crap.
All this, 'Ooh my baby was 100 metres from a smoker today, and it might have wafted onto her, should I say something?'

I'm an ex smoker, not an anti smoker, and those who are anti smoking, just get a grip.

The odd ciggie smoked a mile away from your PFB won't hurt, in fact it'll hurt less than that 4X4 you are driving to get through the traffic for the 5 minute school run.

I wouldn't troll on somebody's thread, but I being smoke allergic I had a ghastly time of it before people started feeling guilty about smoking in offices or at parties. IN those days you just could not get smokers to take it seriously, they just laughed in your face if you asked them to consider never to smoke in your shared office again. Dh's asthma has virtually disappeared since this change: he is a different man.

Can totally understand why attitudes towards social drinking is different: when did anyone force drink into the system of a non-drinker? Smoke you can't get away from.

I don't agree with the argument of comparing smoking to drinking. Passive smoking is a killer where as drinking only affects your own health in the majority of cases. I do not expect to have my health adversely affected by someone who has no will power or social conscious. I wish it was banned from all public places like California.

I don't really know where I am coming from on this one. I despise smoking, I have never smoked and I think it's a foul habit. But my dad has always smoked and he's still a nice man not some inconsiderate nazi. My grandfather smokes and he has been my ill nan's full-time carer for years (he never smokes in the house and has gradually cut down to around 2-3 a day). It doesn't automatically reduce the smoker to some sort of lesser echelon of humanity like some people seem to feel. I wish everyone would give up but it's not likely to happen!

Oh, and while we are on it, all the anti smokers I know will shelve their principles for the chance to drop their kids at my place for four hours peace. Amazingly flexible principles, what what!

Passive smoking is not a killer, the research was totally discredited.

I'm rather offended at bad breath. Can we ban it too?

Passive smoking is a killer. What rot.

I think some of it is because the majority of smokers now chose to start smoking after it became very clear how damaging it is. Not that I agree with demonising people doing something perfectly legal.

I smoke and I don't want to give up because I enjoy it! There I've said it.

I only smoke outdoors, never near children and always stub out and put the ends in the bin. It gets me down a bit reading all the anti-smoker threads on here. Some people smell, are rude, have disgusting habits (nose picking etc), take drugs, abuse their children etc I do none of these but I like my fags and I don't inflict my smoke on anyone

Others drinking DOES affect others though, through street crime and loss of working hours. All related, as are liver problems and violence a drain on the NHS, which all taxpaers fund.

I'm not talking rot, the research on passive smoking that was used to drive throught the ban was found to be utterly discredited.