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?

Having said that, both my neighbours smoke and I can no longer hang out washing, as despite the high hedge rows, the smoke lingers on my clothes if left out .
Its quite disgusting. I have vile neighbours one side of me (vile for so many more reasons than smoking) but the amount they do smoke, inc their underage Teenagers, is disgusting, you can honestly smell the smoke from a few doors down-just from thier house, Its honestlybthat bad amd weve also ahd the smelt come through to our house multiple times

I’m a smoker. I’m not selfish thick common or any of the nastiness listed here. I’m a good person. I never throw fag ends on the floor or smoke in doorways, bus stops or pub gardens.

I hate the drain on the health service argument. Yes smokers do need more treatment but we pay in a hell of a lot of tax. A tax that effects no one else.

My sister has eaten her way into morbid obesity. She’s used a considerable amount of NHS resources. You wouldn’t deride her as you do me.

The smell, litter, the fact they monopolize cafes with outdoor seating, light up with no care of who is walking behind them. It also killed my Uncle when he was 43, throat cancer.

I’m a smoker. I’m not selfish thick common or any of the nastiness listed here. I’m a good person. I never throw fag ends on the floor or smoke in doorways, bus stops or pub gardens.

NotExactlyHappyToHelp You are selfish. Every time you light up you’re forcing everyone around you to breath in carcinogenic smoke.

You’re causing harm to others; that is selfish.

Your sister’s overeating does not cause harm to others and is not comparable.

@PalmTreesPurple

I would argue that giving up is indeed very difficult for many people *@CherryPavlova*.

I’m sure you would. It’s really as simple as just not buying cigarettes. No real side effects - you simply decide to stop and stop. After a few weeks you’re an ex smoker.

@CherryPavlova Physically, yes. Mentally, it’s a lot harder.

Here's another social aspect. Individual smokers are one thing, but I particularly hate it when you get whole groups of people who all smoke. Luckily none of my immediate friends smoke, but I'll occasionally end up with friends-of-a-friend at the pub. Either they'll all go out for a cigarette en masse and expect me to stay inside and look after their stuff, or they'll all insist on getting an outside table in the middle of winter. It completely ruins the social aspect of the evening. I'm glad I don't have to deal with this stuff very much any more, but on the odd occasions when it does happen, I wonder if these people even realise how self-centred they're being.

"So hate the smell as much as you want, hate smoking as much as you want, but stop with the unfounded judgement."

No, sorry, because for me that's part of it. You might have a degree and a high IQ, but smokers in my mind are a bit thick.

And I'm sorry, but it matters not a jot to me whether its linked to mental health or not. It's still disgusting.

Other than dog shit, I'm struggling to think of a smell I hate more than cigarette smoke.

Nope, it's second only to dog shit and you stink of it.

The other thing I hate about smokers is that they think it only stinks around them but it travels SO FUCKING FAR and STICKS to everything. I still remember lying down in bed after being on nights out (pre-smoking ban) only to realise that my hair was saturated with cigarette smoke. Great.

@DolphinandDuck

"So hate the smell as much as you want, hate smoking as much as you want, but stop with the unfounded judgement."

No, sorry, because for me that's part of it. You might have a degree and a high IQ, but smokers in my mind are a bit thick.

And I'm sorry, but it matters not a jot to me whether its linked to mental health or not. It's still disgusting.

You sound a bit thick.

@heartsonacake I only ever smoke in my back garden (no neighbours) or a designated smoking shelter. Who am I harming?

My sister however cannot walk for more than 10 minutes slowly. She cannot pick up her children or bath them due to her size. She is causing harm to those around her.

My sister has eaten her way into morbid obesity. She’s used a considerable amount of NHS resources. You wouldn’t deride her as you do me - surely everyone would? I mean that is literally like MN most favourite thing, poking fatties?

"Even if they've given up? Good grief. Are you always so intolerant of other people's mistakes and capacity to change?"

With smoking yes, my views of them decreases to less than zero. If someones says they used to smoke, whenever I see them I picture a fag in their hand and I just think "you disgusting person". Even as I write this, I'm pulling a face like I've just driven past a field of muck.

It’s stinks, it’s dirty. It’s dangerous to children and others around the smoker. I also do honestly look down on people who smoke - especially young people who were fully aware of the risks of smoking when starting. My friend is a doctor and started smoking at 25. I have no words! Pure stupidity.

Hi @PalmTreesPurple.

If I’m honest - I don’t like it when it wafts into my house when the windows are open in my children’s room.

He has asthma so maybe I worry too much.

I am desperately trying to be less uptight about smoking as it’s increased here - especially with nurses. (I work in hospital)

Any tips to help me become more tolerant of smokers would be great

I’m a non smoker - and always have been - but don’t seem to hate them/it with the same fervour of other Mumsnetters. Occasionally I even feel a bit jealous of the camaraderie that seems to occur between strangers in smoking areas...

I don’t like smoking around me or my kids but I don’t know anyone who smokes anymore so it’s not something I really worry about.

@notexactlyhappytohelp

I can see where you're coming from BUT, when your sister walks around, noone else gets fat from her just being in the vicinity.

Smokers make everyone around them inhale their toxic stinky fumes.

I’m not a smoker and never have been. As long as it’s done outside I don’t care. I have a few friends that are smokers. They aren’t stupid people, they have a nicotine addiction. My DH also is a former smoker (we have been together 6.5 years and he quit 3.5 years ago) who had been a smoker for 11/12 years before that. He is much less tolerant than I am I think because he’s never really lived with a smoker as a non-smoker. He Just doesn’t find it tolerable any more at all and that’s totally ok.

[quote Treacletoots]@notexactlyhappytohelp

I can see where you're coming from BUT, when your sister walks around, noone else gets fat from her just being in the vicinity.

Smokers make everyone around them inhale their toxic stinky fumes.[/quote]
Do you drive?

You’re not a social smoker @Toilenstripes you are a smoker. I honestly had to stop myself rolling my eyes at This. I have friends who insist they ‘don’t smoke’ as they’re ‘only a social smoker’. When we were younger we were out up to twice a week. Even if it’s once a week you still smoke every week. I am a non smoker. If you smoke when you go out you are a smoker.

I'm an ex smoker and I still love the smell of cigarettes, oh and the conversations that used to take place standing outside in the cold all puffing away. Ah, those were the days.

We have certainly become a less tolerant society. Live and let live is dead.

When my neighbour smokes and doesn't open her windows it comes through into my adjoining rooms. When she smokes in the garden it comes through the windows of the two nearest rooms so I have to close them.

I have a medical condition made worse by smoke and I have a young child who sleeps in one of the rooms next to the garden. I can't move her bedroom unfortunately.

Oh and she has a medical condition which clearly smoking won't be helping long term. I pity her landlord as he will have to strip everything out to rent it out when she leaves.

My other nearest neighbours have given up smoking due to someone in their household having breathing problems.

[quote NotExactlyHappyToHelp]@heartsonacake I only ever smoke in my back garden (no neighbours) or a designated smoking shelter. Who am I harming?

My sister however cannot walk for more than 10 minutes slowly. She cannot pick up her children or bath them due to her size. She is causing harm to those around her.[/quote]
You are aware smoke travels, right?

Whenever I see a smoker I think - so how much is this going to cost the NHS? It's great to hear how much less stressed you feel op, but WE will all have to pay for it.
It's different in a country where you have to pay for your own medical care.