Smoking

[Noblejanobii]

*looks at thread, turns away, turns back, and sighs* Ah geez. How do I put this? Um… yeah I despise smoking in real life, but for writing it's fun to play with. I actually tend to grow extremely lightheaded around smokers and I've been known to pass out around long term exposure. My friends actually nicknamed me the smoke detector as a result. I can actually smell even trace amounts and tell you exactly what someone was smoking, that's how bad this is. I've actually been offered a cig before and while most people are cool with it, I've had people try and force it on me before. I honestly don't see the appeal of it. Like, I get media and such portray it as cool and once you're addicted you're kind of stuck. I understand that and if you're addicted then you can try and stop but it's not easy. I get that. But starting in the first place? I just don't see it. I mean, it could just be the fact that it physically hurts me to breathe the stuff that I'm discouraged from it but you know, I just can't see it and you'll probably get glared at if you light something in front of me, and an even harder glare if you know how much it physically hurts me to be around smoke.

However, here comes the hypocritical part, I love smoking in literature. Now, while I personally don't condone smoking and whenever I include it in literature I usually have someone mention that it's bad for you or something, it's kind of a good way to set up a character because it can imply things that otherwise can't be said. I mean, there's the bad boy character trope, the slut trope, the screw up trope, etc. So much can be done with it that it's hard to resist sometimes and it's because of this that I think so many people do start smoking.

[Otter Mii-kun]

I know several people that smoke: my dad, most of the people in my neighborhood, including the next door neighbors, and some of the staff at my workplace, including the executive director.

As often as they say about smoking have negative effects on health, and while my dad is sick quite a lot, the aforementioned next door neighbors always have a cigarette when they're outside, including to use their smartphones, not just to call all their friends, but to do Facebook and texts-and they're so healthy despite that.

I've had thoughts at times in the past about starting smoking, but I really don't intend to. Besides, my mom would be very angry if I did start.

One thing that really ticks me off is the news reports every so often that claim that there's less people smoking. WHERE are there less people smoking? I'm sure not seeing that to be true around my area.

[Elbub]

I smoked for roughly half a year about five/six years ago. Prior to turning 18, I was virulently anti-smoking to the point where I'd condemn my friends if I saw them smoking. However, I have always loved the smell of fresh cigarette smoke; it does the same for my nose as petrol, wet paint, and those other 'dangerous', pungent scents.

So, on one night out not long before I turned 18, I said "screw it, you only live once" (this was before the abbreviation, but it still had similar stupid connotations) and bummed a cigarette off a friend.

This started a similar pattern of nicking cigarettes off friends when out drinking, eventually leading to buying packs every now and again in anticipation of nights out.

Problem is, as much as I love fresh cigarette smoke, I won't try to defend the smell of stale smoke. It's horrible and nasty. The reason I gave up is partially because of this, but if you don't want your opinion of me to drop even lower, I'd stop reading now.

For the rest of you; I was out drinking as normal (in my first year of university, it was a novelty if we stayed in) and had gone outside for a cigarette with another smoker. Once we came back in, I was absent-mindedly tracing around the rim of my pint glass with my index and ring finger. Of the hand I'd just been smoking with.

When I next went to take a pull, the taste of stale cigarette smoke was all around the rim of my glass. Not nearly inebriated enough at that point to ignore it, and suddenly acutely aware of the fact that I must also smell and taste of that, I internally vowed to stop buying cigarettes. Which I did.

So there you have it; the reason I gave up smoking was it was interfering too much with my drinking and ego.

...I did warn you that your opinion of me may have gone down.

Anywho, a couple of things to finish up this post. First of all, I have smoked since my story, but only a handful of times when drunk with smoking friends. And then no more than a single cigarette; it's resulted in maybe one a year on average, and none for at least two years now.

Secondly, I did try one of my own cigarettes sober once. I can honestly say it was the most revolting thing I've ever put in my mouth. Truly disgusting. Don't smoke, guys.

[Blaquaza]

I can't stand smoking at all. The smell alone is vile, but the worst is when people smoke and don't care if the cloud flies into anyone's face. I just cough really loudly and start wafting the air at the point, because even though that's passive aggressive I just think smoking like that is really self-centred. Smoking areas is one thing (I'm fine with these, because people who want to smoke should be able to, just not in my face), but when it's at a bus stop or somewhere similar it's just an extremely selfish gesture.

Both of my parents used to smoke, but my dad outright quit and my mum only smokes the ones that don't produce any smoke now. For years I pestered them whenever they'd start smoking, but they didn't listen to me. In the end they just realised how bad it was for them, and they stopped, much to my delight.

Personally, I'd never dream of smoking, because I think it's a nasty, addictive habit that causes problems in later life. However, I don't condemn people who do smoke as long as they don't act as if it's their right to smoke wherever they want to, without a care in the world. What disgusts me more than anything though is that some people my age think smoking is a good thing, and I just can't understand that path of logic.

[Homura]

Smoking kills you. That's about the end of it. lol

[Rival Max]

Smoking kills me...no foolies. Selfish people.

Im allergic whatever is in cigarettes and it causes my throat to start swell up. So as far as im concerned Smokers are selfish.

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

I find smoking pretty gross. It smells horrible to me. That's enough of a reason why I would never do it. xD But really. If it didn't kill you then I wouldn't really have an issue with it, even if it does smell terrible. I'd be surprised if people could come up with many fates worse than long, drawn out battle with cancer while your famly/friends/future children/partner have to look after you and then mourn you, yet they still wanna smoke. It's everyone's own choice but I can't pretend that I might think you are a little bit not-smart if you smoke, just because of that. :(

OKAY so there is a guy in my department who is working on a new drug for cancer. He spends all his time doing this research to CURE CANCER and meanwhile he is CHAIN SMOKING OUTSIDE THE BUILDING! Now that is something I find really weird. xD ALSO I HATE IT WHEN HE IS IN THE LAB AT THE SAME TIME AS ME, HE STINKS, OH MAN.

The other issue I have with smoking is people throwing the butts everywhere. EVERYWHERE. WHY! Why do smokers just chuck stuff on the ground?! Who ever decided that was acceptable?! ~_~

Personally if it was up to me, I would just make it illegal. If the government didn't make so much money taxing it, it already would be. I guess they don't realise our health system pays for it all in the end.

[brandon_g]

I despise cigarettes and the tobacco industry. They are very evil, making money off of killing people. I hate it and you wouldn't catch me dead smoking one of those cancer sticks.

My step dad smokes and I hate it because I hate second hand smoke and smoking in general. Plus it STINKS!

I swear if I ever get my own house, vehicle or anything, smoking will be 100% forbidden.

I hate them with a passion and I dont see why people smoke them and waste so much of their hard earned money to do it. It really makes no sense to me, spend all that money to give yourself a shorter life.

I can smell a smoker a mile away. Even if your not smoking at the time. What most smokers dont realize is, those disgusting things leave a very distingished, disgusting, nasty spell in your mouth and clothes that lingers LONG after you put out a cigarette. I have customers come in all the time, that I NEVER met at all, that I know are smokers because they have that disgusting smell in their breath. Thank god there is no smoking allowed in the store, it is the only time I get to be free of second hand smoke.

I hate them and I cant wait for that evil industry to die one day. To everyone, young and old: DON'T SMOKE! IT IS DISGUSTING, IT DOES KILL YOU IN THE END AND IT HURTS OTHERS AROUND YOU WHO DON'T WANT TO BREATH THAT TERRIBLE STUFF IN!

[Blaquaza]

Apparently, here in the UK, they're looking to ban smoking in the likes of parks and other public places where children are often found. Now honestly, I loathe smoking, but I think we're getting ridiculous now. Either ban it outright or stop being so specific and irritating about which places can or can't have smokers in. Smoking outside should honestly be legal, as most people have the decency to not smoke into a child's face.

We're getting to be even more of a dystopia, now. It's beyond ludicrous.

[Daughter of Mew]

I can see why people smoke and I'm not phased by it when people do, but it's definitely not for me. I have been tempted to try it, but my grandma has COPD and the fear of that waaaaay outweighs my curiosity. Also cigarettes are tested on dogs and that makes me sad.

Apparently, here in the UK, they're looking to ban smoking in the likes of parks and other public places where children are often found. Now honestly, I loathe smoking, but I think we're getting ridiculous now. Either ban it outright or stop being so specific and irritating about which places can or can't have smokers in. Smoking outside should honestly be legal, as most people have the decency to not smoke into a child's face.

We're getting to be even more of a dystopia, now. It's beyond ludicrous.

That's a bit silly, that's essentially saying "you can only smoke in your garden" but what about people who don't have gardens? Children are literally everywhere, the only exceptions I can think of are older people's care homes and uni campuses! Can you imagine:
"Honey I'm just going out for a bit"
"Where are you going dear?"
"Oh just to the uni 50 miles away so I can have a smoke"

People don't smoke tobacco in my local park anyway (teenagers do smoke certain other things tho)