to genuinely not understand why smoking is vilified

[Redpipe]

and yet drinking, overeating and other addictions that cost the NHS huge sums of money are not?

AIBU to genuinely not understand why it is just smokers in this country that are socially unaccepted?

[cory]

I have no problem with the term "victim" and I am sure it is a terrible addiction

but that doesn't mean smokers have the right to force their drug onto innocent bystanders/workmates/family members

an alcoholic is also a victim of addiction

but nobody would feel that excused him force feeding alcohol to other people nor would anybody feel that complaining about anti-social behaviour caused by alcohol addiction was a case of unjust vilification of drinkers

exposing other people to smoke is anti-social

[Minifingers]

I agree Cory.

I'd like to see a law making smoking indoors around under 18's and vulnerable people illegal.

In any enclosed space containing children actually (so cars too).

[NotYoMomma]

I just find people use the term to be half hearted about quitting and try to excuse the awfulness of it because they are a victim.

I used to work in a tabacco shop and just. does it have a 50% of killing you?

no idea.

[friday16]

I'd like to see a law making smoking indoors around under 18's and vulnerable people illegal.

And you'd enforce that how, roughly? With what sanctions? How are you going to define "around"?

[NotYoMomma]

there should be smoking areas and anyone smoking elsewhere should be open to fines

they have smoking stands in Tokyo shrug

let them all stink together

[PlentyOfPubeGardens]

Minifingers has it about right. I was 13 when I started smoking. Stupid, yes, but also very young. The cravings coming off fags are in no way comparable to giving up coffee or cake. I think a lot of how easy or difficult you find it is down to whether you have an addictive personality, or maybe just a particular susceptibility to nicotine.

I've never ever heard anyone 'excusing' smokers because it's an addiction though. It's really shit to go through life knowing you're a pariah, trying not to breathe around people, knowing you stink and are a walking health risk to others, and that your habit is costing a fortune and has a 50% chance of killing you ... but still be unable to stop.

Really though, I've just popped onto this thread to let any lurking smokers know there is hope! After 30 years on the fags (barring 2 pregnancies), and trying just about every stop smoking method invented, I've switched to an e-cig and have gone 2 weeks now without smoking. If anybody feels like taking the plunge, there's a thread here with lots of support and advice.

[Fluffyears]

I grew up with chain smoking parents and was teased by peers 'ew you REEK of smoke!'' It had an effect on me and I now have paranoia over smelling. I shower twice a day and carry 2 deodorants everywhere convinced I still smell. I am extremely anti-smoking and find it sad seeing those people outside like slaves to their addiction.

I find most sm

[Fluffyears]

Aargh posted too soon.

I find most smokers quite selfish, they walk down the street wafting their stinky smoke behind them into other people's faces. Last week in a queue for the cash machine the guy in front of me was merrily puffing away not caring that he was affecting everyone in that queue. Your lungs, your choice, my choice is not to spend a fortune on something that will kill me x

[Minifingers]

Pleased for you Plenty! :-)

[WinkyWinkola]

Plenty, well done. That's really brilliant news. You should be really proud of yourself.

Tobacco companies spend ££££ on making their products as addictive as possible.

Give them the finger and spend that wasted fag money on something that makes you truly happy.

[WinkyWinkola]

And fwiw, I really think cigarette addiction is a pretty bad addiction. There are so many chemicals in a cigarette that are introduced by the manufacturers to create and maintain addiction.

But I reckon if I can kick my devoted fag habit, anyone can.

I personally can't understand why there isn't more outrage about this foul product that kills and has zero benefit for anyone apart from the shareholders of BAT and Mr. Ken Clarke.

[friday16]

this foul product that kills and has zero benefit for anyone apart from the shareholders of BAT and Mr. Ken Clarke.

BAT employ quite a lot of people. I suspect they prefer it to unemployment.

[YouAreMyFavouriteWasteOfTime]

but surely if people did not smoke, they would spent the money on something else?

creating different jobs.

[TiredDog]

I don't personally care if someone smokes tbh as long as they don't do it around me. Smoking laws have been brilliant.

I spent some time yesterday chatting to a patient who has just been diagnosed with lung cancer. He is newly retired and planning to use his early retirement to spend time with his grandchildren, garden, travel and enjoy himself. He told me all of this whilst I waited for a suitable opportunity to discuss the results of his recent tests... He announced that the problem which had caused him to have these tests had made him seriously consider his health and he'd given up smoking the same day of the test. Too late sadly. I listened to all this, knowing what I had to tell him. So on that very sad and uncomfortable level I was wailing internally at the waste of life caused by his smoking. Lovely bloke, positive outlook and looking forward to his future until I crushed all of that. That doesn't make me view smoking so tolerantly.

Over eating. YANBU
Alcohol. YANBU

These are the new lifestyle choices that will affect people's health.

However everyone has a choice and no one can claim they don't know the outcome so I don't judge. I do however wish people would make their personal choice but not condemn their children to a similar lifestyle

People who smoke around children...yes I judge you. Selfish and harmful

[TheGhostofAmandaClarke]

I smoked for years.
Then I read Allen Carr's "Easyway to stop smoking" and quit.
Five years ago. It was the (secondony to having my DCs) the best thing I ever did.
The withdrawal was minimal. I am slimmer now than I was then, I am obviously much healthier.
At the centre of his book, for me, we're these truths:

1. Smoking is nothing more nor less than a way to feed a nicotine addiction.
2. Smoking does absolutely nothing for you in terms of confidence, stress relief or concentration.
3. It's actually piss easy to stop smoking.

I am pretty evangelical about it. I am shocked that I spent so many years poisoning my body and literally burning money.

[WinkyWinkola]

Friday16, so we should continue to manufacture and peddle this stuff because it creates jobs?

Oh okay then. I guess it keeps the nurses and doctors busy too, treating lung cancer, emphysema etc.

And the revenues + employment created by spin off tobacco substitute products.

Everyone's a winner.

I have now seen the light and think everyone should be made to smoke in that case.

[WinkyWinkola]

Facts are high horses?

What total crap.

[Tiredmumno1]

mycoil I just wondered if you had read this thread

Just in case it was of any help to you, although you may have tried ideas like this before, so just ignore me if you don't think it could help. It seems to have helped lots of others including my DH, just a little idea for you

[bigbrick]

MyCoil you are keeping the smoke away from others & I wish everyone could be as thoughtful as you in that respect. You will stop when the time is right for you.

[WinkyWinkola]

I have every sympathy for someone who has suffered the way you describe.

But the post was about why smoking is vilified. That is what I and most people are responding to.

[Tiredmumno1]

well done for trying though mycoil, and as bigbrick says you will do it when you are ready . I certainly am not judging people can live their lives as they please, nowt to do with anyone else.