Why does MN hate smokers so much?

[PalmTreesPurple]

Not all of MN of course but I’ve seen a lot of negativity about it. I understand not liking smoking yourself because of the health issues, I’m a smoker after giving up for nearly a year and I was stupid to start again but it’s a nasty addiction to kick. I only smoke outside, in designated smoking areas, and never around people who are eating/close to other people. I also don’t smoke in places like parks or walking through town. It is either in my garden or in a designated spot. Would a smoker like that bother you, or is it people who don’t have any courtesy, or do you just not like smokers in general?

Not being aggressive at all, just very interested.

Would also like to know if anyone on here smokes themselves?

Because it's disgusting? It makes the smoker stink and if they snake near others it makes them stink as well.

When I see smokers, they might aswell be gobbing all over the floor it repulsed me so much.

I hate cigarettes & smoking with a passion - I recognize that its addictive

& I wouldn't call anyone stupid but really unwise.
Why do I hate it? It makes me wheeze & I knew someone close who died of a sudden heart attack before they were 50 who useto smoke non filters. Before 1980 cardiac wards were full of (mostly) men who were under 50 whose heart issue were directly related to smoking. Another person who was close to me developed: Lung cancer, macular degeneration & mini strokes - & you guessed it She was along term smoker.
It exacerbates asthma & bronchitis & if a woman is pregnant is likely to increase chance of low birth weight & a child with lung issues. If you smoke the cigarettes particulates hang around with you & are particularly dangerous to v young children & babies for hours after you have smoked
The smell lingers on & can travel some distance - travel on public transport? thanks - non smokers can smell the cigarettes on you, your clothes & your breath.
Try being a teenager & having to recognize your dead father after a sudden heart attack - for your own sake & that of anybody who loves you please stop smoking!

Smoking isn't linked to intelligence, same as drinkers, gamblers and cannabis smokers! They are all addictions whom anyone can get attached to. Same as over the counter drug addicts - people get addicted for many reasons and it can be very hard for them to seek help and stop. No need to judge them so harshly. The most intelligent and nicest people may have a secret addiction. If you do smoke then carry on until your ready to stop. Nobody else can make you, including rude comments.

Sometimes I wonder if smokers are aware of how badly they smell?

Yeah, someone really should mention this to them

I hate it. I’ve always hated it. That will never change. It stinks, and I hate breathing it in. People that smoke are selfish imo.

I struggle to understand why people start smoking when they know it is so bad for them. I know some people start when they are younger and think they are indestructible but one of my mother's peers started smoking after her husband (a smoker) died from lung cancer. Why on earth would somebody do that?

As an ex smoker you can't smell smoke off yourself if you do smoke.

I absolutely hate the smell and I never ever thought that I would feel that way.

one of my mother's peers started smoking after her husband (a smoker) died from lung cancer. Why on earth would somebody do that?

Depression? Grief? It is a very addictive habit. That is clear. Many people become addicts of one kind or another, following trauma.

@PalmTreesPurple

Not all of MN of course but I’ve seen a lot of negativity about it. I understand not liking smoking yourself because of the health issues, I’m a smoker after giving up for nearly a year and I was stupid to start again but it’s a nasty addiction to kick. I only smoke outside, in designated smoking areas, and never around people who are eating/close to other people. I also don’t smoke in places like parks or walking through town. It is either in my garden or in a designated spot. Would a smoker like that bother you, or is it people who don’t have any courtesy, or do you just not like smokers in general?

Not being aggressive at all, just very interested.

Would also like to know if anyone on here smokes themselves?

It's a dirty, nasty, smelly, revolting habit.

And it killed both my parents.

I can't bear seeing it and I can't bear being around it.

I grew up surrounded by it - family and their friends. Everywhere we went. Every house smelt. I must have smelt. Sitting in the car with no air.

Can't get passed any of that. None of my friends smoke and I would struggle to be around someone who did.

I don’t think that you will get much sympathy from non smokers. I am an ex smoker. When I smoked I always smoked down wind. I stood away from others. If the wind changed I turned round. I didn’t stand right at shop entrances etc. I always tried to keep my distance from others after a cig. I didn’t smoke in the house, always outside. If visiting family, even those who smoked, I smoked outside. It’s ok saying it’s a filthy disgusting stinky nasty anti social habit and why would you want to be that filthy and stinky.... but it’s an addiction. It’s NOT A HABIT. In exactly the same way as an over eater, or a drinker, or a drug taker have an addiction and not a HABIT. but for their first draw of a ciggy, or line of coke, or pint of lager, none of these people would be ADDICTED. No ones saying it’s a nice lovely wonderful addiction, it’s clearly not. But I think people need to lay off... smokers spend half their life wishing they were smoking and the other half wishing that they didn’t smoke.... they’re not doing it to offend the people around them, but a lot of mn posters seem to think that they are doing exactly that! I never did like the way I smelled , was always trying ( and most likely failing) to clean/mask/hide the smell and scent of smoke. Smokers have enough shame already by virtue of the fact that they dare to smoke in the first place. They know that non smokers think so lowly of them. Smokers can quit if they are in the right headspace to do it, but getting your kicks out of making them feel small and bullying them with nasty words and contempt is never going to help ANY smoker to quit. So if you know a smoker, believe me probably 90% of them already feel pathetic enough. Maybe support them in quitting and stop making them feel worthless. They are always first to get picked on. I’ve seen posts that they shouldn’t get healthcare, they cause their own problem so don’t waste my tax money helping them ( says the drinking, driving, mountain climbing person who will NEVER need hospital treatment related to their life choices). The country would be up in arms if every smoker quit tomorrow and the tax millions were lost. Then you will see just how much they are sucked dry and wrung out for smoking in the first place. And that’s before other people’s nasty comments. Support someone to quit , don’t shame and bully and belittle them.

Mumsnet isnt made up of a single person or a group all exactly the same. I dislike drinking too. But it doesnt waft over me or smell, or make me feel sick. I think people who rely on drink are weak, but dont seem to repulse me in the same way smokers do.

I didn’t say it was. Read some threads on drinking though and you’ll see my point. I manage to comment on those threads without calling people repulsive though.

The amount of dehumanising language you use about people is really alarming @DolphinandDuck. Alcoholics aren’t weak, they have an addiction. Addictions are not weakness. The fact that you’ve so readily dismissed the contributing factors to addiction suggests it’s you with the intelligence issue, or at least an absence of empathy.

The smell

The health issues of passive smoking

The fact that it comes in my house

I don't smoke but smokers don't bother me at all. Don't care if someone is smoking next to me.

This thread is really interesting. In a nutshell, it's fine to do what you like as long as it doesn't affect other people. But smoking does affect other people, in all the many, many ways listed here. So it's a selfish and aggressive behaviour.

Because I’ve watched a parent die of lung cancer and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. It’s a horrible habit that is expensive, smells disgusting and can cause you all sorts of health issues and kill you.

Even designated areas are problematic though. It’s tricky to walk past a pub for example without getting a face full of smoke if there pavement isn’t wide and everyone is outside.

@Botherfreedays

I can’t for the life of me figure out how smoking is selfish and aggressive? How is smoking an aggressive behaviour? How many people have gotten behind the wheel after one too many cigs and killed someone due to their complete smokers inebriation? The language you are using is aggressive. I don’t understand what you mean?

And yet, MN is bizarrely defensive about alcohol. Can’t think why.

Middle class people drink.

Yes, 'aggressive' is a strange one, especially in the context of some of the posts on this thread

I have been a smoker for 15 years. Although the past few years I have probably had no more than a pack of 20! I only do it occasionally and VERY occasionally now. I smoke alone in my garden or on a secluded walk with no one around me, to alleviate stresses like you said. Some choose to open a bottle of wine, eat junk or gamble. These aren't healthy alternatives either. I understand smoke is in the air and affects others around, but if you smoke completely alone, I don't see the harm.

Majority of people don't like it and that's their choice. I don't understand the negativity about the smokers intelligence and class though? Majority of the smokers I know are well educated and "posh".....far from common.....

Op I like that you actually asked your neighbours if your smoking was a problem, most don't bother, can I swap you with my weed smoking neighbour who is oblivious to the fog he causes around our area.

I used the word aggressive because it can harm others, not as instantly as a drunk driver, but still harm. I was just trying to sum up the themes emerging from the thread.

Ah yes, the days when half the office went outside in groups several times a day and stand gossiping. Then returning giggling and snuggling so you could tell they'd been bitching about everyone, when they were the ones coming back stinking to high heaven.

This one is interesting. I wonder to what extent paranoia is a factor in the hatred of smokers? What if they're talking about you?

Workplace smoking shelters are interesting social spaces because you can get everyone in there from the CEO to the cleaner to visiting clients, all having friendly chats, quite outwith the normal workplace hierarchy, and all without you.

Sinkgirl...the op asked quite openly why people dislike smokers. I've been quite honest in my replies. My replies may be repulsive language, but that's exactly how I feel about smokers. People with addictions are weak. And yes I've dismissed contributing facts as they mean nothing to me, the end result is still the same..Ie smoking, and that is what repulses me. I dont think "ah it's ok they smoke because they have a mental illness", I still cant get past the end result.