to be really bloody tired of people getting on their high horses about smoking, whilst drinking their 3rd glass of wine?

[Mimstar]

I get it - smoking isn't a great habit. But neither is drinking, drinking alcohol has plenty of harmful consequences - not just long term health problems, but instant in some cases - i.e people often make bad choices when they are drunk, drunk people are unpleasant to be around.

Disclaimers -

For those of you who will say 'I only drink half a thumble of wine a night, so it's not the same' - One cigarette a night, or a couple at a weekend - unlikely to do much harm.

For those of you who will say that you have lost somebody to a smoking related illness, I do appreciate how awful that is and I'm sorry for your loss. However, I have lost two family members to drinking related matters, and I do not constantly lecture people who are buying a bottle of wine.

I am not saying it's okay to smoke around children, or to smoke all over people who don't smoke.

I don't have a problem with smoking or drinking, but I find people who judge smokers who have no problem with getting drunk very infuriating.

Okay, so now I'll be flamed.

Sorry, xpost.

at bobbi..

also at bobbi

Would that mean a queue of peni in two orderly lines?

I totally agree and regularly say I think my health was actually better when I smoked as I did then not drink wine most nights and I ate less!!

I am an ex smoker who is not anti though.

Welcome boschy, it's a fun club.

Well said WelshMaenad!

I drink about a thimble per year and hate smoking not just because I have asthma and don't have the luxury of abusing my lungs!

I too don't care what others do but a lot of smokers just don't get that they do impose on others...like when my pil's are in my house for 2 seconds it stinks and my baby , dh and I need to breath it in...and that's not smoking in the house...it is from their clothes, breaths and hair!

I agree drinking, not even excessively, is just as bad but smoke doesn't contain itself. And yes drinking does affect those around too...maybe not physically unless the drunk person is abusive.

There are arguements for both drinking and smoking but I personally feel others smoking is more intrusive.

But, I'm not talking about when people smoke all over you when you have asked them not to - t'was in this disclaimer.

I'm talking about the tirade against smoking, in general.

Lines of cock

I really don't care if someone wants to smoke all day every day, as long as they keep well away from me. I don't like the smell of cigarettes - smoke in the air, lingering on clothes, cigarette butts in the bin when BIL and SIL come to stay. Gives me a headache.

Spent my summer holiday in Germany this year. Made me realise what a positive effect the smoking ban has had over here.

Drinking undoubtable causes far more havov.

Squeaky - have you ever sat next to someone that's been on the booze the night before

havov? havoc of course.

I drink and smoke.

Infact the more I drink the more I smoke!

I personally think that smoking should be completely and absolutely banned. I'm sick having it blown in my face as I walk down the street or try to enter a building. It really does affect other people - instantly and in the long-term. I know that some people would think that's an extreme viewpoint, but it's just how I feel. (Disclaimer here, believe it or not I'm an ex-smoker so I do realise how difficult it can be to give up.) Perhaps I should modify my thinking and say well allow smoking on someone's own property - unless there are children present. However, certainly not on public streets and in enclosed public spaces.

However, I do think you have made a very good point about drinking alcohol. That also does affect other people, particularly the partner and/or children of drinkers, in many different ways. It has long-term effects I can assure you, from personal experience. I have suffered psychological effects throughout my life because of earlier experiences I've gone through, primarily due to the use of alcohol by my parents.

With you there Fanjo

but these days people at the next table cant just light up next to you in a restaurant etc so the argument that you are 'smoking all over them' doesnt count in non-domestic social situations.

I dont smoke indoors and wouldnt expect to do so, tis the great outdoors or nothing for me.

Every cigarette is harmful, there is no "safe" limit for smoking, unlikely drinking, where if you genuinely drink in moderation, you are unlikely to harm your health. Yes, of course,getting drunk isn't good for you, neither is regular heavy drinking, but many people do drink moderately.
Also, ime, very few people do only smoke "one cigarette a day,or a couple at the weekend" It's nearly always quite a bit more than that.

The majority of people who drink alcohol do not pass out, cause road accidents, get into rows in the street, become violent or neglect their children. It is only excessive drinking that leads to these unfortunate consequences.

However, anyone smoking is polluting the air, forcing the people around them to breathe in the smoke whether they want to or not, causing huge discomfort to people who suffer from asthma and other related conditions, and making other people's clothes and hair stink of stale smoke.

That is the difference and why more people complain about smoking.

Op yanbu

Posters saying the person on the next table smoking will affect you - you Are aware it's illegal to smoke indoors in public places now don't you?

But I have often been bothered by drunk people, men who get a little inappropriate after a few drinks, women who get a bit scrappy when they've had one too many. Drinking most definitely can be 'intrusive'..

I don't smoke around people who don't like it, for the record. It's not even about smoking, it's just about manners?

Health concerns aside. If I'm sat in a room quietly drinking a glass of wine, I'm not affecting anyone. If I'm sat there smoking, everyone can smell it, and everyone will go home smelling of it, having to wash clothes and hair.

I grew up in a heavy smoking house, and I CRINGE at how much I must have stank of smoke wherever I went.

x post with halcyondays.

We most be the most hated clipped

I don't care tbh. I don't blow smoke at people, when I go out for a cig I go with smokers anyway.

Worst I've done with a cig when pissed is light it the wrong way. It tastes rank and stinks.

Its illegal to smoke at the table in restaurants, not in people's houses. So you can still have to suffer other people's smoke during a meal.

I miss smoking :( I drink and eat more now then when I smoked. Ahh BnH silvers ahhh. Second hand stale smoke is awful but so is stale boozy breath blugh!

But if you are in a smokers house, that's there choice. If somebody wants to smoke in your house, ask them to go outside. Again, I don't think this is an issue of smoking, just manners.