Smokers are selfish and clearly not very clever

[forever390]

Today I tried to enjoy the sun but everywhere I went there were smokers puffing away in front of my kids and their own children. It was at the cafe, ice cream store, restaurants, park. Absolutely disgusting. It's hot and my family want to enjoy outside spaces too.

I dont know anyone that smokes. Smokers must have pretty low levels of intelligence if they are willing to slowly kill their bodies even though there is loads of information out there regarding the harms. Why do people smoke still? And do they just not give a damn about smoking in front of children? What goes through their head when they light up in front of a baby in a pram?

Since when is the outside area of a restaurant/cafe the smoking area? I've actually seen quite a few with 'no smoking' signs in the outside seating areas.

I think the biggest twat that I've seen was a man in a zoo. He joined a crowd full of children watching the lion talk and lit up in the middle of everyone.

Huh, must be spring.

Why are people saying the OP is judgmental? Just because she has an opinion? Anyway she is right! Smoking does show a lack of intelligence. I’m sure all the smokers will bang on about how they have as much right to do as they please in pivotal. A floored argument considering they are increasing other people’s cancer risk against their will. And that is NOT OK!!!!

'A floored argument'

@hazelnutpie What your saying is simply not true

I'm there's lots of spelling mistakes by smokers too. Let's not be dicks about that. I'd rather make a typo than pay to inhale cancer fumes.

"Since when is the outside area of a restaurant/cafe the smoking area? I've actually seen quite a few with 'no smoking' signs in the outside seating areas."

Since indoors smoking was banned.

Though some places do ban outside as well, and OP would probably be happîer in one of those. But for those places which cannot afford to do without catering for smokers, the outside area is the smoking area.

Smoking does show a lack of intelligence.

Except it doesnt.

Ban smoking outside cafes/restaurants and smokers won’t go there. Establishment will lose business and close down. It’s happened to over 11000 pubs in the U.K. since the smoking ban was introduced. So you won’t have a cafe or beer garden to go to.

@Pencilsinspace the second hand smoke must have damaged my brain!

Oohh a good smoking thread....bound to be heated.

I personally loved smoking... I mean really, really enjoyed it. I still see people on a cold morning having a ciggie and just watch them, jealous of their pleasure and unapologetic enjoyment !!!!

But then I look at my beautiful, innocent, happy and secure little boy and wouldn't go back to smoking fir 1 second, I would hate to know, I was adding to the risk of not being there for him as he grows up, or watching me on oxygen or other debilitating diseases and having to be burdened with that experience.

I never smoked in my house anyway but I don't let anyone hold my son who has been smoking... If I have given up that pleasure of smoking I'm damned if I'm going to let anyone else expose him to the toxins.

I also know if I ever had one, just one lovely little cigarette ever again, that would be it, I would never be able to quit again
but I do get incredible angry at all these people smoking around there children and have to ask why ?

I don't believe all smokers are uneducated or selfish, but by god if your smoking around your children, in their house, in their car, you are definitely one of these ?

I agree that it’s madness to light up in front of babies and children (and I include parents smoking in front of their teenagers) because children can emulate what they see.

I don’t agree that smoking is a sign of low intelligence.

If your intention was to create a polarizing thread, OP, you did just fine.

The real shit thing is that us vapers did something great for our health and others around them and we are still bloody moaned at. I don't blow clouds of vape but if people don't like them smell, tough bloody luck.

I don't agree with inconsiderate smokers but I do not believe you have come across that many OP. In future go to a place that does not allow smoking in the outside areas.

Yes, nasty selfish smokers, spending all winter out in the rain, snow and cold

Ah, my heart bleeds for them. If only there was some way they could avoid that torture. Oh, wait ...

I'm a smoker and I don't have to explain nor defend my choice to smoke to anyone. If I choose to smoke while outdoors in public, I do so because I want to. I don't think, ''I wonder if my cigarette smoke will cause harm to the general public before it dissipates into the already heavily polluted atmosphere''?. My partner is a non smoker and never complains or makes absurd assumptions about people smoking because it doesn't directly affect him and it's also non of his business what lifestyle choices people make.

I am in Canada and smoking is banned in in my area in most public places. In outdoor patios of restaurants, recently beaches and some parks. Inside was ages ago! Within 10 meters or feet of building entrances usually as well.

It’s actually really nice for everyone. No smoke, ashes or cigarettes butts lying around. No one complaining about it and there is usually a smoking area outside for those that smoke.

There was an initial period of places will shut down, lose business, etc but in all honesty, life went on as usual. People adjusted as they needed and still went out and drank, ate, socialized as they would as when it was allowed. They still wanted to go out and as it was the law and all places had to follow it no one place was “blacklisted” by people going out.

My parents are smokers. They certainly aren't of low intelligence. What an insulting comment.

It is an addiction. Why not ask why people drink, or take drugs? Those are also addictions.

Don't insult people. You won't be perfect yourself.

In 2018 the NHS claimed that 14.9%of over 18s in England were smokers. Apparently most of them either live next door to or go to the park with MNetters

My partner smokes, I’m not a smoker and of course I’d prefer it if he quit, but the fact is he’s an adult who can make his own decisions. He’s not an idiot, he’s aware of the health issues, but it’s an addiction. Do you understand what addiction means?
It doesn’t mean he has low intelligence.

I know some very intelligent smokers. People do it because it's enjoyable and/or because its addictive.

In fact I'd say the most vocal anti smokers I know demonstrate signs of very low intelligence (extremely socially compliant dunning-Kruger-riddled people with the individualism of an ant).

I don't think there's a firm tie between low intelligence and use of addictive substances, though

Plenty of doctors smoke? Really?! The majority of my social circle are doctors and I have never met one who smokes, even just socially. I'm sure that they are out there but I think they are in the minority.

I think your OP is very OTT and judgemental, but I can see where you're coming from when you ask why people still smoke. I do think it's slowly dying out. I used to smoke myself and so did loads of people I knew, but it's becoming much more rare now. I reckon it's only a matter of time before it's banned in public spaces.

OP I'm an ex smoker and I'm certainly not unintelligent, it's called being addicted however I've never smoked around my kids or I've tried to step away somewhere quiet to smoke so I didn't inflict it on others. I agree though it gives me the rage seeing parents smoking next to there beautiful children

My IQ is 148. I used to smoke. More addictive than heroin. Congrats OP on being completely immune to the affects of an addictive substance. 🙄

My mother had the nerve to try to smoke around me when I was pregnant, until I stood up and exited the house. She got the hint but it was clearly seen as a sign of over reacting....then my husband proceeded to tell me her boyfriend smoked while I fell asleep in the car pregnant. I hate to say it but smokers are usually extremely selfish. If they're willing to trash their bodies, more than likely they don't give a crap about other people's