Re: Do you smoke tobacco?

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Re^2: Do you smoke tobacco? by kudra (Vicar) on Sep 02, 2004 at 05:55 UTC
I also yearn for smoke-free places. Since January they made train stations and trains non-smoking. Some people still flout the rule, but it's not too bad in the stations. However, on the platforms...there are smoking areas at the end of the platforms, but most smokers seem to believe because they are 'outside' (in a small, enclosed area) their smoke won't bother anyone. Officials are not especially good about enforcing the rule either. Also when I walk in to the station I have to walk through people clustered by the door to smoke. So I still have to take a shower every night if I've gone to work, to get rid of the allergins. If I want to go out to eat, I have to take an allergy pill. And of course I still carry my inhaler. I think perhaps these people don't realise that their smoke carries because they are no longer capable of smelling it. I, on the other hand, could probably be used as a drug-sniffing dog if they ever make smoking illegal. At work I have to repeatedly remind people that if they smoke by the (open) basement door the smoke is pulled in to the building, and I really can smell it on the second floor. I really don't have a problem with people taking whatever drugs they like, provided others aren't forced to take them in the process. I don't understand how so many pill-form drugs can be illegal in many countries, while something that affects everyone around can be considered socially acceptable and legal.	[reply]
Re^2: Do you smoke tobacco? by arden (Curate) on Sep 01, 2004 at 08:32 UTC
I wish I lived (and grew up) where you do. I'm allergic to tobacco and the response I get when I ask people not to smoke around me is usually along the lines of, "It's my freedom to smoke, it doesn't hurt you, you're just whining." Of course, even though the official policy of the U.S. military is against tobacco use, the majority of soldiers and sailors still smoke. I once took the cigarette out of the guy's hands and broke it open, rubbing the tobacco on the backside of my forearm. As a rash quickly spread he started to apologize. Of course, the hospital visit wasn't worth it, but I was young and stupid once. I'm no longer young. :) - - arden. update: I guess I didn't openly state that in the case where I took the guy's cigarette he was in a no-smoking area and my first action was to point that out to him and ask him to stop smoking. As for the suggestions that he should have punched me, I'm a big, fast, and well-trained guy; go ahead and try!	[reply]
Re^3: Do you smoke tobacco? by been42 (Curate) on Sep 01, 2004 at 14:04 UTC
I'm not allergic to tobacco, but I have pretty bad asthma and so does my son. It's not usually a problem at work, but nearly everyone in my family smokes. I manage to avoid them for weeks at a time, and my visits there consist of little more than my wife talking to them while my son and I go play with toys in another room. It's great for bonding with my son, not so great for my relationship with the rest of them. On the other hand, spending my life in another room allowed me to spend all of my time at the computer, leading to a decent career.	[reply]
Re^3: Do you smoke tobacco? by chime (Friar) on Sep 02, 2004 at 14:08 UTC
Ireland where I live is the first coutry to have a smoking ban. ie. No smoking in an enclosed work place. This includes shop, pubs, restaurants, offices, all public transportion (even taxis). There are exceptions - long term residental homes, prisons etc. Norway has since taken it up There is approx 98% compliance with the ban It works because it not up to individuals to enforce the ban Those (ie pubs) who continually flaut the law are subject to large fines and possible prison sentances. Already there is a drop in tobacco smoking and alot of Irish have given up. There is a major difference in going out without having to smell like an ashtray coming home. And alot of pubs etc have smoking shelters or beer gardens to accomodate the hard liners.	[reply]
Re^4: Do you smoke tobacco? by jepri (Parson) on Sep 17, 2004 at 13:03 UTC
Australia has a similar ban. I've been very thankful for it, except when all pubs go smoke free. When I go Drinking, I want the full experience of getting sloshed in a seedy, smokey dive. Pubs in Australia have a choice of smoking/smokefree. I do feel sorry for the poor smokers, harried from their favourite sunless den of iniquity by crusaders who don't seem to realise the irony of preventing smoking in pubs for the patrons health OTOH I also believe the patrons should be allowed to whip out their bongs in a pub, so I guess I'd count as being a little out there. I love the smoke free restaurants though. Definately a improvement in quality of life. ___________________ Jeremy I didn't believe in evil until I dated it.	[reply]
Re^3: Do you smoke tobacco? by csuhockey3 (Curate) on Sep 02, 2004 at 04:03 UTC
It certainly is nice to have the smoking ban. I didn't realize how thick the smoke is in a restaurant/bar until I go to the next town over (without a smoking ban). I can't stand it anymore -- you really notice it much more once you have the luxury of being smoke free.	[reply]
Re^3: Do you smoke tobacco? by chicks (Scribe) on Sep 18, 2004 at 10:07 UTC
I'm sorry you've faced such stupidity and inconsideration. I've support anti-smoking efforts for years and there are a growing number of folks even in a die-hard tobacco state like my own Virginia that believe breathing is a right and smoking is a choice. Sadly smoking is also a very tough addiction and that deserves some consideration too, but most folks capable of consideration seem to recognize that breathing is a much more important right to protect than smoking. I was in California when the smoking ban went into place. I know a number of folks with sensitive allergies and they were able to go into pool halls comfortably for the first time in years. At least in my unscientific survey business didn't seem to have slowed down either, so everybody wins including the wait staff having a lower chance of cancer and no ashen mess to clean up at the end of the shift. :)	[reply]
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Re^2: Do you smoke tobacco? by TStanley (Canon) on Sep 02, 2004 at 01:59 UTC
Nice to know I'm not the only one :-) I like a good cigar on occasion, and since both my wife and daughter have some allergy problems, I take it outside when I do. I tried cigarettes when I was younger, and I couldn't stand the taste. TStanley -------- The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing -- Edmund Burke	[reply]