to hate smokers

[onemiddlefinger]

I don't actually hate the people (well, not all of them anyway), but I find it so disgusting walking though someone's cloud of smoke. There was just a woman having a cigarette next to the door of my office building and there is no way for me to enter the building other than though hercloud of death! And that happens frequently. Would IBU to bring this up with our office manager and ask for this to be banned?
Actually I wish all smoking in public could be banned, or at least in all bus stops and doorways that have people coming in and out of. In fact they should have designated areas only and those areas should be easily avoidable by others. But I don't suppose this will happen anytime soon...

[BakewellSlice]

It's an addiction. I think yabu to stress yourself over this. Stress is a major factor in ill health.

[usualsuspect333]

Not everyone loves a non smoker either

[HoundoftheBaskervilles]

Shameful suicidal abuser here, I want no-one's pity thanks, you just get on with your judging & I'll get on with my lovely fag.

Really you should be thanking me, from an actuarial point of view we're brilliant, live just long enough to pay taxes all our working lives then pop off before we can peskily claim any pensions or need any long-term care thereby leaving greater resources for more worthy types.

You're welcome.

[Jolleigh]

You didn't express how sad it makes you. You actually called all smokers pathetic, weak and suicidal before saying anyone who lives with a smoker is in an abusive relationship.

I'm not suicidal. In fact, I'm looking to kick the habit.
I'm far from weak or pathetic. I've been through a fuck of a lot this year and turned to cigs to help me cope.
I don't smoke in the house so no, my daughter isn't in an abusive relationship.

I am also a person who you should probably know better before passing such disgusting judgements.

[Jolleigh]

Eurgh, just re-reading those comments makes me realise there are much worse things to be than a smoker. If I get any more irritated, I'll end up not sleeping. Night all or at least all but the idiots who are judging people based on their smoking status rather than their decency

[CattyCatCat]

It's how I feel. I genuinely feel that my relative could have taken heed of the very blatant 'it will surely kill you prematurely' warnings that are all over the packets and quit for the sake of his wife and then later his Ds. His death is tragic, selfish and senseless. We pleaded for about 15 years. I do find his memory pathetic, my thoughts and strength are with his now 5 year old who is growing up without a father. His wife has met a decent man but his child will never have another father.

[CattyCatCat]

And yes he cried on his death bed, wished he had been stronger and begged us all to look after his son. I miss him and wish he was still here.

[Celestria]

Catty I'm sorry for your loss.

As I said, most if not all smokers start as a young teen. Smoking is a drug. It's a highly addictive drug that many doctors agree addicts will fight against for the rest of their lives. Show me any young teen that will read warnings and say oh, I won't smoke then.

It seems sometimes that to non smokers it should be the easiest thing in the world to do. Just stop. Except it's not that easy. Out of the twenty most dangerous drugs in the world, smoking is at number nine.

Catty, the above is not meant for you. But I will say that whilst the warnings may just have made your relative want to stop, doesn't mean he actually would have been able to.

Most smokers know someone that's died of cancer. Same as most non smokers. However cancer is not a smokers disease. Smoking increases your chances, but cancer was around long before smoking. And a lot of people have the mentality of, oh but that would never happen to me. Most of us think we are invincible until something scares us.

Smoking generally takes a long time to kill. If it does at all depending on your luck I suppose. Being in a domestically abusive relationship however, can kill overnight. One punch that finds its mark.

If being in a relationship with someone that smokes is abusive, don't get in a relationship with someone who smokes. You don't get to meet someone, get together with them then decide you hate smoking. Just don't do it. Of course there will be the odd few that started smoking after the start of a relationship. But statistically most smokers start as teens. And you don't get together with someone to change them.

[naty1]

Dmum had heart attack at 50 something. DGF a stroke at 65 and uncle had a brain tumor.
Fil died in 50s of ling/bowel cancer. So significantly reducing their lifespans.
The abusive relationship is the children who have no choice.
We now have asthma, allergies, thyroid issues, infertility, probably shorter than should be by 2-4 inches.
I would make smoking while pg illegal.
I dont belirve it makes the nhs money as if you include all the illnesses of husband/children that would add up.
Actually everyone i know with cancer smoked (except 1 person who lived with 1 for 40+ yrs)

[naty1]

Typo was lung

[Shakey1500]

Howl at "abusive relationship" and "cloud of death.

My penny's worth- I've smoked for over 30 years. Do I wish I didn't smoke? Yes as I would save a fortune and not be subjected to the mass fucking hysteria that surrounds it of late. So why not give up? I could lie and say it's because I'm addicted (which, granted I am) but it's mainly because I bloody love it. I love the calmness it gives me, I love the sensation of the nicotine hit. It's my body and I shall do as I damn well please with it. I'm not at all overweight, don't drink to excess (often) and I've never taken any other drug.

I get exceptionally angry when people harp on about the tiny, imperceptible wisps of smoke but don't direct the same (or any) level of vitriol about obesity. The amount of health problems associated with obesity are FAR more than associated with smoking. But no, it's ok because (some) people are big boned And I shan't provide statistics because I don't care to

[WalkingInMemphis]

I could lie and say it's because I'm addicted (which, granted I am) but it's mainly because I bloody love it. I love the calmness it gives me, I love the sensation of the nicotine hit

You love it because you're addicted though. Nicotine doesn't 'calm' you. When you're going through temporary withdrawal because it's been a while since you've had your last cigarette, you're experiencing a crave and may be edgy/more stressed because of the withdrawal.

The nicotine when you next smoke is just bringing you back to 'normal' - the the state which non-smokers are in all the time.

[ScrambledEggAndToast]

A lot of them are very selfish IMO. They seem to see nothing wrong in smoking right next to a huge bus queue of people for example. Maybe not in the bus shelter (although some do). I think they should have the decency to smoke well away from others so we don't have to breathe in their disgusting fumes.

[WalkingInMemphis]

I read a quote which as an ex smoker I really identified with. 'Life is a series of annoying moments between cigarettes'.

I really, really 'get' that from being a smoker, but find it really sad. When I was smoking I used to think I smoked because I enjoyed it, and couldn't imagine a time when i'd genuinely not want to smoke. Or what it would feel like to not smoke.

But as a smoker, for that hour/ten minutes/however long after your last cigarette, when you're satisfied and not even thinking about smoking at all...as a non-smoker that's just what it's like all the time. It's liberating, truly.

nothing worse than an ex-smoker

[bananaramadramallama]

Ex smoker here too.

I have no problem with smokers, it is just something I don't do anymore.

I wish all current smokers would give vaping a whirl - I have stopped almost completely (I use my e cig perhaps once every few months, and have not smoked for nearly a year now - I do not miss it at all).
My husband still vapes every day, but it's not cigarettes so that's fine.

I have HUGE irritation with people who spout the same sanctimonious crap as was in the OP and other comments on this thread though.

Hate the smoking, not the smoker.

I hate farting, milk drinking, public displays of affection, dithering, cloying perfume, body odour, etc etc.
I don't however spout shite like:
I hate people who drink milk. Dirty milk drinkers inflicting their love of dairy on innocent bystanders.

Ffs.

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

Another great quote, this time from a Vaper's site:

I don't know which is best - not getting cancer, or annoying the antis by not getting cancer

I rather like that

[PlentyOfPubeGardens]

HereBeHubbubs - Vape cigs also cause heart attacks.

No they don't. Nicotine is about on a par with caffeine in terms of its risk profile.

Michael Mosley did a good section on ecigs recently on

See also NICE recommendations on tobacco harm reduction:

'Nicotine inhaled from smoking tobacco is highly addictive. But it is primarily the toxins and carcinogens in tobacco smoke – not the nicotine – that cause illness and death.'

Licenced nicotine containing products 'may be used as long as needed to prevent relapse'

HCP's should 'Provide information on how people who smoke can reduce the risk of illness and death (to themselves and others) by using one or more licensed nicotine-containing products. Explain that they could be used as a partial or complete substitute for tobacco, either temporarily or in the long-term.'

'nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products have been demonstrated in trials to be safe to use for at least 5 years'

'there is reason to believe that lifetime use of licensed nicotine-containing products will be considerably less harmful than smoking'

NICE are of course here talking about medicinally licenced NRT such as gum or patches which use pharmaceutical grade nicotine - exactly the same stuff that is in ecigs.

If you want to know more about nicotine, there are some great resources here from the first Global Forum on Nicotine that took place earlier this year. Polosa's and Farsalinos's presentations are particularly relevant.

[PlentyOfPubeGardens]

WRT government income vs. costs of smoking, ASH has produced a fact sheet here.

Revenue earned by the treasury from tobacco duties 2012/13 = £12bn
Cost to the NHS of treating diseases caused by smoking = approx £2bn/year

[HelloItsMeFell]

Actually I wish all smoking in public could be banned, or at least in all bus stops and doorways that have people coming in and out of. In fact they should have designated areas only and those areas should be easily avoidable by others. But I don't suppose this will happen anytime soon…

I completely agree. I know loads of people who smoke and some are far more considerate than others. But in my extensive, lifelong experience of being around smokers, even the considerate ones are not nearly so considerate and careful as they like to think they are.

I don't hate them but it really do hate their smoke and the smell of it on them, their clothes, their skin, their breath, their hair. I pity them as well though, it must be awful to know that everyone else thinks you stink.

[Jolleigh]

PlentyOfPube you're my new best friend albeit an unwilling one. I've not had good enough signal to look up the figures all morning!

[PlentyOfPubeGardens]

HereBeHubbubs - Overweight people can have reasons that understandably prevent weight loss, such as emotional trauma, depression, physical incapacity to exercise because of existing health conditions, etc. so no, I wouldn't say I'm judgemental in that area.

Smokers however, have only themselves to blame for their ultimate poor health.

Another ASH factsheet:

'Smoking prevalence amongst people with a mental illness is substantially higher than in the general population. A 2013 study from the Centers for Disease Control in the United States found that a person with a mental illness was 70% more likely to smoke than a person without a mental disorder. In addition to this, people with mental health problems smoke significantly more, have increased levels of nicotine dependency and are therefore at even greater risk of smoking-related harm.'

In-depth report by Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Psychiatrists here:

'smoking is becoming the domain of the most disadvantaged: the poor, the unemployed, the homeless, the imprisoned and the mentally ill. Of the 10 million smokers in the UK today, almost one in three reports mental health problems. The prevalence of smoking among people with mental disorders has barely changed in the past 20 years.'

Also, let's not forget that 2/3 smokers started as children (ASH)

[EatShitDezza]

My aunt died of lung and throat cancer. She didn't smoke or drink.

Hence if you are going to get it you will, whether you smoke or not.

I could stop smoking then be hit by a bus a week after. I like smoking, it's the one thing I have that's for me. I get to have a few minutes to myself.

Morning cig and a coffee is the best breakfast

[WalkingInMemphis]

My aunt died of lung and throat cancer. She didn't smoke or drink. Hence if you are going to get it you will, whether you smoke or not

What a load of rubbish.

That's like saying 'Well if you're going to get hit by a bus, you will. So I just as well cross the road with my eyes shut'.

Of course some healthy non-smokers can get cancer. It can affect anyone. That doesn't change the fact that by smoking you are increasing your chances of it by [insert insanely high figure that I cba to google]%

[HmmAnOxfordComma]

Do 20% of all adults really smoke? Really?

I think I know 2 people who smoke. And I know more than 10 people...

[bigdreadiedad]

Audeca & Seasalt: LOL

Smoking near others is disrespectful, but as long as smokers are polite it's UR to hate them.