To think westerners shouldn't smoke

[TonaldDrump]

On holiday abroad right now in Asia. We've been staying at a resort where there are loads of Scandinavians, Dutch and Brits.

It really bothers me when they just light up in places they'd never do at home. We were sitting in a cafe and someone (Scandinavian) started smoking next to us. A Brit did the same at another restaurant.

Locals, including local tourists I can understand because there isn't a no- smoking culture here but anyone from northern or Western Europe or Northern America should have it ingrained that it's disgusting and unhealthy for those around them and it should be second nature.

It feels like they're just taking advantage even though they know it's anti-social!

It's disgusting, right? Or aibu?

YABU but absolutely see your point. It is unsociable and we do know that passive smoking is unpleasant and unhealthy.

Thanks @TheCompanyOfCats. Got a light?

Tonald I agree with you. It's very hypocritical.
So when you are at home, people will go on at how unacceptable people are to smoke inside, will talk about the dangers of passive smoking and don't they think about the poor staff working there???

And then they arrive somewhere it's allowed to smoke inside and ... tada... it's not dangerous for the staff to have customers smoking near them anymore.

Saying that people can smoke where ever they want if it's allowed are acting as of the only reason to not smoke inside is because of the law. When really the reason for that is people health, the ones that are smoking and the ones that are in the room but not smoking (children staff, non smokers etc).
So what these people are saying is that other people health actually does matter at all. The only thing that matters is their own individual interest and if they are 'allowed' to smoke, then they should be using that right, regardless of the effect on others.

Strange isn't it? Because I'm sure that all those people would scream if the issue was presented to them The way I've just done.
Even though it's exactely what they are doing.

So it would be ok for me to litter on the beach then? Because I can and I want to.

OP - it's racist to suggest that someone can do something because they are a citizen of one country, whilst someone else cannot because they are from another.

Maybe you are right, and we should set them a better example because, you know, we're just better than them? That seems to be your argument.

If cigarette smoke bothers you, perhaps you should only travel to places where it is banned! There are plenty of countries where it is illegal to smoke in shops, restaurants and so on. When you go abroad you have to respect the customs and laws of the country you visit. You get the benefit of those laws in return.

To suggest a British person should not smoke in a country where it is allowed is just as outrageous as suggesting that someone from that country should be allowed to smoke in Britain, just because the law says they can back at home.

The law applies to everyone in the country they are in, not the one they are from. If a man from Burkina Faso came to the UK and slept with a 13 year old girl, he would not be able to get off a statutory rape charge just because 13 is the age of consent in his own country!

yanbu, yes those thick forriners dont know any better whereas us brainy Westerners are far superior

I assume thats the response you were after?

Japanese people and People from Singapore are Westerners? Do they know?

Btw it has nothing to do with imposing your POV to other people in other countries.
No one is saying that everyone should impose a ban on smoking indoors.

It's about the fact the that people who NEVER dream of doing that in their own country find it OK to do that at home.

Take it this way. In the UK you have to have a child in car seat when you use a car. If you are in a country that allows you not to use a car seat, would your do it or would you think it's too dangerous?
Well the issue is the same.

**
There are people from Asia on this thread! You should be setting a better example for me not throwing cigarettes at me!

@MrsTerryPratchett I did indeed, proper happy sigh right there

Happy Christmas

Snatched

That's not racism as it's nothing to do with race in the slightest.

The point is awareness and living in countries with strong awareness of the anti social and health aspects of second hand smoke, whatever citizenship you may have, should mean that you KNOW that it is a shitty thing to do.

Just as I know that it's shitty and anti social to litter the beach.

Mrsterry

So people from counties with enforced anti smoking laws (better - since I'd include singaporeans rather than Greeks!).

Snatched so does it mean that the reasons there is a smoking ban indoors in the UK do not exist in other counties then? Passive smoking just doesn't exist in other aces, just in Western countries??

The reason why you shouldn't be smoking indoors isn't the law and what you are allowed or not to do.
But the reason why there is such a law in the first place, i.e. The welfare of other people.

Or are you saying that you don't believe that passive smoking is an issue or that you shouldnt care of the harm you do to other people with your smoking because you are in another country, so it doesn't matter?

But the law there says it's legal to smoke in those places, that's the bottom line. So why wouldn't smokers do it

Do you really not understand that...?

@gamerchick you too

OP, you do understand that smokers didn't magically learn the error of their ways when smoking bans came in. And people in other countries aren't unaware that smoking has health implications. Everyone does a cost:benefit analysis. Based on their own life. And the fine is the reason that lots of smokers stopped smoking inside, not a road to Damascus conversion.

I don't litter because I don't want to. I have driven around with no crash helmets in Asia. I did an inventory and decided it was worth the risk. For me. I take a booster for DD because it is not worth the risk.

Just for the record I'm bloody Asian!!!! From a county which now has strong anti smoking regulations (kind of)

So quite amusing the sidetracking to racism, colonialism, patronizing etc

It's not the point at all. The point is when you should be aware how anti social smoking is when you have lived in counties where public smoking is restricted. Just because you go abroad, doesn't stop it being anti social.

@gamerchick: enjoy

Actually in this case there were big fucking no smoking signs on the hotel lobby. No one cared.

In that case, a complaint to the management would have been in order.

If you'd started a thread saying 'AIBU to think it's terrible that Asia and the Middle East don't have restrictions on smoking, so the health of their citizens is at risk' I think you would have got a lot more support - but the idea that Westerners who want to smoke should pointlessly sit abstaining amid clouds of smoke from the native population just doesn't seem to make sense.

Nope waitrose I don't.

Because I don't smoke inside, or I always put my seat belt or I always put my child in car seat because I know the opposite would be harmful (to myself or to others). Not because there is a law telling me to do it.

If the law was stupid, then your comment would make more sense.
But in that case, we know and accept the reasons why we have that law.
Most people will be vocal about these reasons.

Why are these reasons not good enough anymore when you are abroad? But they will be good enough re wearing a seat belt or using a car seat? Is it because the people who will harmed are the locals and they don't matter as much??

Mrsterry

I think that might be it. I guess smokers haven't fully understood just how disgusting they are to non smokers. I guess they think all the rules are there just to annoy them

I couldn't care less if you wear a helmet or not. Your head, your choice. Although obviously accidents abroad are no better than accidents at home.

Smoking affects others, that's why it's anti social.

I don't care about other people lighting up next to you in a country where they are allowed to do so. I don't care that you expect to be persuaded to change your mind about this either.
Maybe in future you should only visit countries which have stricter smoking laws.

Yanbu - horrible breathing in smoke when you're eating , and I smoke.

Yabvvvvu and preachy. Leave the poor people alone and get on with your business!

People only don't smoke inside here in the uk because it's illegal.
They don't not smoke to be nice.

I am user love a good smoking thread me.

I miss smoking me, I may go get a packet just for Christmas.

OP do the superior hand wofting and fake cough when you're around British people smoking. It'll make you feel so much better.