AIBU to think being desperate to smoke & vape is a bit sad?

[ValerieCupcake]

I mean the numerous bus drivers and tram drivers who can't wait to get off and light up in all weathers, dragging them out of their pockets while walking off the vehicle. People hanging around in the rain huddled about puffing away. I feel sorry for anyone as addicted as that and think it looks sad.

What @clawedbutler ⬆️ said X 100!

They look pathetic, like babies sucking on dummies. I always think that vapers (and smokers) are an inherently selfish breed given that they think it’s perfectly fine to blow smoke in everyone’s face at bus stops and outside pubs etc. Gross 🤮

When I was office based I used to see the smokers standing outside in horizontal rain, wind, snow, sub zero temperatures and just think how addicted they must be to do that.

@JollyJoon

What else is sad and desperate? Eating on public transport? Going straight out for a drink after a hard days work?

What about those who smoke (illegally) on public transport, often in the toilet or hanging out of a door for the 30 seconds they're open for? It's a pretty strong addiction if you can't go a couple of hours without lighting up.

@RampantIvy

When I was office based I used to see the smokers standing outside in horizontal rain, wind, snow, sub zero temperatures and just think how addicted they must be to do that.

They don't mind. Its a break from the office and a chance for a chat with other smokers, quite sociable really.

@PurpleDaisies but vaping near you doesn't - the OP doesn't mention they're anywhere near her
I was (before I quit) smoking in a set back area when someone walked into it, so close she trod on my foot and then gave me an earful about smoking. I was about 2m away from the pavement! If she had walked on the road side of it she would have been at least 3m away from me

They don't mind. Its a break from the office and a chance for a chat with other smokers, quite sociable really.

I just hate being cold, and if I needed a break I would go and make a cup of tea and chat to whoever was in the kitchen area.

It is sad because it is a highly addictive product that created billions in profits and many deaths.

Millions in revenue every year.

Smoker's are to be pitied like other addicts.
It affects certain areas worse than others and takes money from the family.

Blame the cigarette companies and the governments not the addicts.
Blame the sly advertising on TV shows.

Hard-core recovered heroin addicts and alcoholics still find nicotine impossible to kick.

Have some sympathy towards the demon around their neck.

But of course all those people hurrying home to a bottle of wine or a G n T are just fine... not pathetic at all.

All the memes around how funny and clever and cool alcohol is, it's viewed as normal that people are looking forward to an alcoholic drink when they finish work, get in or get to the pub.

I've yet to experience smokers or vapers intentionally blowing smoke or vapour into peoples faces - but they can't control the wind direction of course, I guess some of you expect that they should. You could just stand up wind of them?

I find it offensive and sometimes painful, the amount of scent some people wear in whatever form, it can be so strong it is eyewatering for me, and I can smell them all the way around a store or up the street, escaping it can be quite difficult.. but that's apparently not selfish, that's fine...

We're all ultimately here for a short while making the best of our lives, if we get through it without being addicted to something then we've done bloody well really.

@Jarnss it has been. I started vaping in 2013 when I first tried to quit
It's 95% safer than smoking and should be treated differently as the guidance says. There are numerous studies on it

Yes I'm vocal about it! People who smoke will start vaping and get "it's just as bad. It stinks. May as well smoke" and they think fuck it, I might as well go back to smoking. Harming themselves AND others around them
When they could vape which is so so much safer for everyone, anti smokers NEED to support it or you push people back to smoking

"Local authorities should continue to fund and provide stop smoking services and all stop smoking services should have a consistent approach to using vaping products"

"There is no published scientific evidence of harm to bystanders from exposure to e- cigarette vapour and the available evidence indicates that any risk of harm is extremely low, especially when compared with tobacco smoke"

"Finally, if e-cigarettes are to do their job of making smoking less of a social norm, they must be clearly positioned as products that help adult smokers to quit. In this way, vaping becomes synomyous with the rejection of smoking"

Dear God, can people not enjoy the small things in life without people whinging?
Live and let live for christs sake give it a rest 🙄

Non-smoker here but you (OP) must be really bored.

I find it strange the amount of ire smokers trigger. And lets get real, it's not because of the smell, most smokers are kept well away from the great washed public.
And it's not about the harm they are doing to their bodies, because every day we pass by drug addicts in town centres, or obese people eating fatty foods, and that isnt triggering at all. Its not about them causing a nuisance either because every night we see hoards of staggering drunken people clogging up pavements and screaming outside houses.

Theres something about smokers that really gets peoples backs up and I think its deeper than the reasonings generally given but what exactly is it?

I think it might have something to do with the idea of decadence. It's like a still socially acceptable way of saying "I dont care about life" and maybe theres something about that that bothers people subconsciously.

There’s something about smokers that really gets peoples backs up and I think its deeper than the reasonings generally given but what exactly is it?

If I stand next to a smoker, it affects how I breath. It stinks and makes me stink. It ruins my meal if someone is smoking on the next table in a pub garden.

I have chosen not to smoke and I don’t want it inflicted on me. Nothing to do with decadence.

If cigarette smoke causes this much trauma in you, have you considered consulting a doctor?

@JollyJoon

If cigarette smoke causes this much trauma in you, have you considered consulting a doctor?

What a ridiculous response.

I'm sure they care so much about your opinion OP.

@RampantIvy

They don't mind. Its a break from the office and a chance for a chat with other smokers, quite sociable really.

I just hate being cold, and if I needed a break I would go and make a cup of tea and chat to whoever was in the kitchen area.

I haven't smoked for decades. But this is the part I miss. The smokers were always much more interesting than the kitchen people.

Nope I don't feel this way. Most people have something they are addicted to. And I don't give too much thought to other peoples habits unless they directly effect me.

It isn't nice being addicted to smoking. It's horrible when you've run out and all you can think of is how to get a cigarette. It is horrible when you don't have money for anything else as you feel you have to spend your money on tobacco. I've been there. It was when I'd had a mental breakdown. Smoking is rife in psychiatric hospitals. We had to go out to smoke whether it was raining or snowing we'd huddle out there. It is a very effective coping mechanism for so many but of course is terrible for health. I'm not sure what the key is for helping people with mental health issues with smoking. But I do think vaping can be massively helpful. It is how I managed to stop. At one of the hospitals I was at they had a vape vending machine. I really dislike smoking and vaping being lumped in together. They are worlds apart - in smell, in effects on health and on cost.

Tell me you’ve never experienced addiction without telling me you’ve never experienced addiction.

@RobertaFirmino

Why the hate for vapers though? People vape because they are giving up, or have given up smoking cigarettes. That gets a big thumbs up from me.

Completely agree!

I saw an interesting programme about vaping and the impact of nicotine addiction on late teens. I did find it sad that these kids were needing more and more, just as I would feel sad about alcohol addiction.

It is better than smoking, i'm sure it doesnt impact on me in the same way.

Oooh, no. It's wonderful to have a smoke when you've been desperate for one for a while. Like any other similar pleasure - a drink of cold water when you're parched on a hot day; your favourite food when you haven't eaten all day - only with added tingliness and loveliness, like an orgasm afterglow.

Don't feel sorry for people who are enjoying themselves.

People vape because they are giving up, or have given up smoking cigarettes.

Unfortunately this isn't true. Primary addictions to vaping with no prior smoking are pretty common, especially in young people. And there are health implications to vaping as well.