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?

Nothing against smokers but hate smoking. I am an ex smoker (smoked for 17 years stopped for 18 years now). I gave up before I was pg, during pg smelling smoke would make me feel nauseous and give me a dull headache, it still does now. Many ex smokers seem to be more sensitive to the smell of smoke, not sure if that is physical or psychological.

As long as you keep the fumes and stink of your habit, away from me I don't care that you are a smoker.

If you can give up for a year you can give up for good. Just dont start again, it really is as easy a choice as that.

Fair enough, you've got your view, I've got mine.

Yep! You got it.

I think it looks hideous.

@AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter

I dont have any "fuck you" to smokers. I dont "hate" smokers at all.

I DO hate smoking though and dont want it around me- I do think its supremely selfish to expect anyone to put up with the smell and the smoke because it harms people and can cause cancer in the long term.
Its literally the only habit that not only affects your health but others health too. Therefore, its not exactly shocking people might look down on smokers is it?

I think, looking down on the habit is fine. Looking down on smokers or addicts of any kind is common. But that doesn't make it right.

You may not have a 'fuck you back' to all smokers, but the quote you responded to initially had a 'world's smallest violin for smokers', which is a political fuck you, no? Which is quite harsh when these are people who are addicted to an antisocial habit which kills them. Surely, most people actually would have some pity? Not a sarcastic pity (world's smallest violin).

I remember when I was at uni, I worked in a late night convenience store and we had lots of lecherous and rough old men come in after pub closing time. They all had yellow/brown fingers and would give me their loose change which had bits of tobacco in it for roll ups. They all stunk of smoke, and had rancid tobacco breath and yellow hair. Every time I see someone smoking I always think of them shudder

I’m a bit mystified by “You can always smell it”. Back in the day when I was a smoker a number of people expressed surprise, there was a lot of “Oh, you don’t look like a smoker”. Clearly I didn’t smell like one either.

The hatred of smokers has increased as there are fewer of them. I personally love the smell of fresh tobacco smoke, it’s nasty when it’s stale but that never happens outside.

"30BranchAndPoppy"

"Maybe it's a phobia or something, as what I feel about smoking is on a whole different level to others."

"Yes, it is your prejudice. Lovely of you to wave it like a flag on this thread instead of sitting back and examining why you feel all strongly about this particular thing though, like anyone else would do."

You say "it's your prejudice" as if there is something wrong about that. Prejudice is normal. Lots of people have prejudices about lots of different things. Theres nothing wrong with not liking smoking or smokers, it's pretty normal. Or does it surprise you in some way that people dont actually like smoking? I dont like people who drive madly, is that a prejudice too? If it is, fair enough. Why should I examine why I feel that way. I've felt that way for an incredibly long time I dont have to examine it as if it's something to be fixed. I'm quite happy with the way I feel about smoking. It's not abnormal to not like something.

Bookmark

Don't be daft!

MN hates everyone. Dog-owners, Tory voters, people who support JKR, people who don't support JKR, trampoline owners, hot tub owners, noisy neighbours, people who complain about noisy neighbours......

I once had to open the book bag of a reception child to retrieve books, the smell of stale smoke was awful. I had to leave the book (needed for guided reading) outside until the smell had gone.

BTW, I don’t hate smokers. Just the smell and toxins they produce.

@AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter

I remember when I was at uni, I worked in a late night convenience store and we had lots of lecherous and rough old men come in after pub closing time. They all had yellow/brown fingers and would give me their loose change which had bits of tobacco in it for roll ups. They all stunk of smoke, and had rancid tobacco breath and yellow hair. Every time I see someone smoking I always think of them shudder

How incredibly sad for them. They were addicted to an antisocial habit, which many people find stomach turning and which kills them and can also kill those around them, (but at nowhere near the same numbers as actual smokers). Can you imagine being that person who can't stop doing something which is objectively so icky and which is extremely dangerous to their health? It must be horrendous.

Surely, most people actually would have some pity

Erm, not really no. If someone wants to give up, I'd certainly assist them and support them in any way I can of course I would. But I'm not going around pitying smokers because they know the risks now and the health implications and its their personal choice to smoke. There is A LOT of free help to give up, GP surgeries have giving up smoking clinics, there are vapes, support groups, specialist nurses who run giving up smoking groups etc If someone chooses not to access that, why on earth should I pity them?

"Fair enough, you've got your view, I've got mine."

"Yep! You got it."

So why keep on about it? You are clearly trying to upset me and it hasnt worked. Why dont you go and have a go at all the other people on here who also gave said they dont like smoking and that it stinks etc. You seem to think my views are aimed at you personally, which they are not. Simply answered the ops question.

You say "it's your prejudice" as if there is something wrong about that. Prejudice is normal. Lots of people have prejudices about lots of different things. Theres nothing wrong with not liking smoking or smokers, it's pretty normal. Or does it surprise you in some way that people dont actually like smoking? I dont like people who drive madly, is that a prejudice too? If it is, fair enough. Why should I examine why I feel that way. I've felt that way for an incredibly long time I dont have to examine it as if it's something to be fixed. I'm quite happy with the way I feel about smoking. It's not abnormal to not like something.

Prejudice is common. That doesn't make it right. You're right, people often don't like heavy drinkers, or people who drive their four by fours on the school run and park over people's driveways. But you go further. You say that if someone who you liked or even loved revealed to you that they had EVER engaged in the activity you disapprove of, they are "infected" to you and you would think of them in the same way as you would if they told you they once committed murder. That, my dear, to use your term of endearment, is abnormal. Personally, yes, I would examine this, but hopefully I don't and never will know you or anyone like you IRL, so not my business.

So why keep on about it? You are clearly trying to upset me and it hasnt worked. Why dont you go and have a go at all the other people on here who also gave said they dont like smoking and that it stinks etc. You seem to think my views are aimed at you personally, which they are not. Simply answered the ops question.

I'm responding to your messages to me! I'm not going on at you at all. If you don't want me to respond, stop addressing me all the damn time. HTH dear!

Our post delivery man smokes in his truck I think because whenever we get a parcel it stinks horrendous and makes the whole ground floor stink so we have to take it to the garage.

If someone is smoking outside at a restaurant it ruins my whole meal as it smells so disgusting. If a smoker is behind me in a queue for example but not actively smoking, it smells so awful I have to leave or start breathing through my mouth instead of nose.

The previous owner of our house was a smoker, there were yellow stains on all the walls and it took us a year to get the smell out.

It's a very selfish, inconsiderate and anti-social habit. A lot of smokers dont realize everything they own and every place they go smells utterly revolting. It's akin to the BO of someone who hasn't showered in months probably, but it sticks to everything and lingers on for ages. And that doesn't even begin to cover the health damage it does to themselves and people close them, especially children.

"Surely, most people actually would have some pity? Not a sarcastic pity (world's smallest violin"

Its hard to have pity for people who had no pity or consideration for you. Like smoking in the car or the restaurant or the office or on a plane etc. Smokers had no pity for non smokers then.

@Notcoolmum 'so here you are'

How do you see your future with your dp? My mum spent (today's equivalent) a tenner a day on cigarettes throughout my childhood. I cannot fathom depriving my own kids of the same amount.

10 years from now - maybe with a mortgage and a couple of kids - will you still be happy with your dp spending even half of that on this thing you hate and despise? Even a fiver a day on cigarettes is a STAGGERING £18000 with nothing to show for it. That's a good few holidays, a few months extra worry-free maternity leave, a couple of years or more of rent/mortgage payment. It's a substantial deposit on a house.

And yet 'here we are'.

Non-negotiables are just that - would you change your mind if he turned out to be racist/homophobic/violent (all things I hope anyone has as Non-negotiables) but only did it away from you?

"That, my dear, to use your term of endearment, is abnormal. Personally, yes, I would examine this, but hopefully I don't and never will know you or anyone like you IRL, so not my business."

It's not abnormal, it's how I feel and I wont examine it as I dont need to. There is not some sort of campaign that people must like smokers. And no, you are the one harranging me, I am answering your questions, you are not answering mine. I dont require answers from you and have only been polite to you in return. You feel the need to attack me personally and have tried over and over again, whereas I've said to you numerous times this is simply how I feel.

Personally I can't understand why smokers don't appear to realise how catastrophic it is for their health (and people around them)

I get that it's an addiction but it's one that many many have overcome (myself included)

Its hard to have pity for people who had no pity or consideration for you. Like smoking in the car or the restaurant or the office or on a plane etc. Smokers had no pity for non smokers then.

You've addressed me again, so I will respond, before you think I am going on at you or trying to upset you.

So, some smokers were very inconsiderate to you and it was understandably aggravating and horrible. That does not mean that all smokers bear the responsibility for that.

I pity smokers, but agree that some of them are probably arseholes. But many are not. Like some doctors / teachers / lawyers / wine connoisseurs / five a side football players / whatever are also arseholes. Doesn't mean they all are and that I should then dislike all of them for it.

@DolphinandDuck

"That, my dear, to use your term of endearment, is abnormal. Personally, yes, I would examine this, but hopefully I don't and never will know you or anyone like you IRL, so not my business."

It's not abnormal, it's how I feel and I wont examine it as I dont need to. There is not some sort of campaign that people must like smokers. And no, you are the one harranging me, I am answering your questions, you are not answering mine. I dont require answers from you and have only been polite to you in return. You feel the need to attack me personally and have tried over and over again, whereas I've said to you numerous times this is simply how I feel.

Any personal attacks you think I've made, please report and I'm sure they will be deleted.

"There is not some sort of campaign that people must like smokers"

You didn't just say you don't like smokers though did you? You said that even long after smokers have quit a very difficult habit to overcome, you believe them to be infected. That when someone you like otherwise reveals that they were once a smoker you are as disgusted as if you were driving past a field of muck, that you would no longer feel anything much for that person, that you would feel the same as if they had said they once murdered someone.

If all you'd said was that you didn't like smokers, I still wouldn't agree with you, but I would probably not have noticed you among all the many others on here. The reason I spoke to you in the first place is because your views are unusual.

Why this obsession with pitying people? Lol
If I went round pitying everyone who made poor health choices I’d be spending my life pitying everyone.
Being obese isnt good for your health either, neither is living on sugar and caffeine, neither is being sedentary, neither is drinking over 14 units of alcohol a week. But people are grown adults who are responsible for their own choices. Pitying people is incredibly patronising and disempowering and it’s infantilising people as if they arent responsible for their own lives. I’m afraid I don’t have the mental energy to go around full of pity for anyone who lives a lifestyle I don’t personally agree with. I’m simply getting on with own life and doing the best I can to be a decent person. If I can help someone stop smoking I absolutely will support that person but I’m not going to patronise them by pitying them as if they are a helpless child with no other options. That helps no one.

I've read it all now. A non smoker who argues she might start up again as she doesn't want to live a long full life and would rather die early in an excruciating undignified way. Ffs! Just say you want to start again as you enjoy and fuck what others think. At least my smoker ex was honest. He wouldn't come out with 'it's an addiction' 'life is stressful'...he just said how much he enjoyed it and didn't want to stop.

A lot of smokers dont realize everything they own and every place they go smells utterly revolting

Because it’s something you just made up. Why would you buy a smoker’s house if you find it so offensive?