Why so much venom towards smokers and not others?

liah

Just read a post in another thread, made me think a little.

Generally, the commonly listed anti-smoking points are something along the lines of:
1) Cancer.
2) Makes you stink.
3) Messes up your lungs, etc.
4) Second-hand smoke.

Among others, but those are the main ones.

Now, technically, alcohol can have similar, or at least relatively equatable, effects:
1) Liver damage, can die from drinking too much.
2) ...makes you stink!
3) Is a depressant and can be very addictive, can do a lot of damage when consumed at the wrong time in one's psychological state.
4) Can make you do really, really stupid stuff as well as contributes to bouts of memory loss after consumption.

So technically the only legitimate argument alcohol-consumers have against smokers, in an effort to not be hypocritical, is second-hand smoke; dubious, at best, as there's a substantial amount of unbiased research that indicates second-hand smoke isn't nearly as big a threat as it's made out to be.

Why is there so much venom towards smokers and not people who drink? Both harm yourself and have the potential to harm others (cigs: second-hand smoke, alcohol: drunk driving or abuse of alcohol in the home, etc). Both result in large amounts of people in hospital every year. Same could be said for fast/junk food as mentioned in the other thread, save the harming others bit.

So what's the deal? Case of "my lifestyle choice is better than yours, you're wrong and I'm right, nyah nyah!" or what?

super_furry

Smoking does not make ugly girls look good.

D

What annoys a lot of people is the casual nature smokers expose others to second hand smoke. For example at bus stops. The smokers always come back with "Its a free country", it doesn't matter to them that they are slowly killing everyone around them.

Canis Lupus

liah wrote: »

Just read a post in another thread, made me think a little.

Generally, the commonly listed anti-smoking points are something along the lines of:
1) Cancer.
2) Makes you stink.
3) Messes up your lungs, etc.
4) Second-hand smoke.

Among others, but those are the main ones.

Now, technically, alcohol can have similar, or at least relatively equatable, effects:
1) Liver damage, can die from drinking too much.
2) ...makes you stink!
3) Is a depressant and can be very addictive, can do a lot of damage when consumed at the wrong time in one's psychological state.
4) Can make you do really, really stupid stuff as well as contributes to bouts of memory loss after consumption.

So technically the only legitimate argument alcohol-consumers have against smokers, in an effort to not be hypocritical, is second-hand smoke; dubious, at best, as there's a substantial amount of unbiased research that indicates second-hand smoke isn't nearly as big a threat as it's made out to be.

Why is there so much venom towards smokers and not people who drink? Both harm yourself and have the potential to harm others (cigs: second-hand smoke, alcohol: drunk driving or abuse of alcohol in the home, etc). Both result in large amounts of people in hospital every year. Same could be said for fast/junk food as mentioned in the other thread, save the harming others bit.

So what's the deal? Case of "my lifestyle choice is better than yours, you're wrong and I'm right, nyah nyah!" or what?

Drink in moderation is alright and it's 2nd hand smoke that's the killer. Oh and smokers are stinky as **** after they've had one.

Mackleton

Because quite frankly, no one cares if you feel like ruining your own body but with smoking you are imposing that choice on others, often people who have chosen not to smoke.

hi_im_fil

All of your negative points about alcohol are only true when excessive amounts are consumed. All negative points about smoking are true, no matter how much you smoke

thebman

super_furry wrote: »

Smoking does not make ugly girls look good.

If you generate enough smoke she might through the haze!

fizzynicenice

couldn't agree more OP, seems to be an awful lot of smoker-haters on here.

Kernel

D wrote: »

What annoys a lot of people is the casual nature smokers expose others to second hand smoke. For example at bus stops. The smokers always come back with "Its a free country", it doesn't matter to them that they are slowly killing everyone around them.

Let me get this straight. Smokers aren't allowed to smoke inside anymore (the craic is gone from the pubs as a result) and also shouldn't be allowed smoke outside if there is a non-smoker around? Nah.

minidazzler

But Alcohol makes me funny, and fearless.

liah

hi_im_fil wrote: »

All of your negative points about alcohol are only true when excessive amounts are consumed. All negative points about smoking are true, no matter how much you smoke

So you're saying someone who had a fag once every few months is just as bad as someone who goes through 20 a day?

cloneslad

I don't drink or smoke, nor do I feel the need to stuff my face with crappy food to make myself obese. I am quite fit and healthy and go running most days.

I would just like to say I'm better than you :P

I don't mind people who drink because their drink does not annoy me in the same way as smoke stinks up a room, smells bad, leaves me gasping for fresh air etc etc.

On the other hand I would prefer a driver of another car on the road to be smoking rather than drinking, but that's a whole other issue.

As for fat people, I think most are just lazy, I was quite big in my teens despite the vast amount of sports I did, now I am little over 10stone and still quite active, if I can lose all my weight by exercise so can they.

Duggy747

If people have a prob with smoking, fair enough, they have a certain degree of harm on ya. *nasty cough*

I just can't stand those who make it their mission to tell you "their facts" on them or calculate up what you spend on them (That one grinds my fùckin' gears! How about I calculate the amount of your life you spend on facebook / bebo and other shìte you live by?)

Heh, one example was a clean-cut girl who was friends with a girl I know came out to the smoking area, sat in front of me and another guy who were enjoying a fag, started doing the "anti-smoker" cough and then began her tyrade of rants. The guy looked at me, took a big drag of his fag and blew it in her face and topped it off with the sinister laugh he does so well.

Ya smoke, ya smoke. If ya don't, shut up before I slaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap ya!

Though I think the smoking ban from pubs was a great idea, I don't stink as much, can see where I'm going and the smoking area is a great place to have the craìc and meet new people. (We actually spend more time there in our local than inside )

EDIT: The whole thing of "second hand smoke" is balony, what about the fumes you take in daily as you walk the streets? Walk up to a person in a car and tell them that they're killing you softly slowly wiv their stinky exhaust.

TheZohanS

fizzynicenice wrote: »

couldn't agree more OP, seems to be an awful lot of smoker-haters on here.

The only people I don't like are losers that scrounge cigarettes and won't pay for them themselves.

D

Kernel wrote: »

Let me get this straight. Smokers aren't allowed to smoke inside anymore (the craic is gone from the pubs as a result) and also shouldn't be allowed smoke outside if there is a non-smoker around? Nah.

Hey I never said a blanket ban, just a bit more consideration. Also I find that there is still plenty of "crack" to be had in pubs.

Kenteach

Smoking has absolutely no redeeming features. Even one cigarette contributes to the whole cancer/smell/lungs/2nd hand smoke thing. And i don't buy the 'its a free world' argument either. Smoking is a proven killer, regardless of the people doing it. Alcohol is hardle the greatest invention in the world either, but usually its excess alcohol that leads to problems. And if I'm having a pint beside someone, it has absolutely no effect on them whatsoever.

Wagon

I agree with you Liah. I think it's a case of "my lifestyle is better than yours". Someone wants to smoke, it's their business. It's possible to have manners with smoking too. ie. Son't smoke around other people, don't smoke around children, don't spark up in someone's house before asking if it's okay etc... Many people are like this. but as long as there's that shower of fanatical non smokers out there, sparking up will always be the same as kicking a puppy. Drink is okay though, because they drink too.

super_furry

Kernel wrote: »

Let me get this straight. Smokers aren't allowed to smoke inside anymore (the craic is gone from the pubs as a result) and also shouldn't be allowed smoke outside if there is a non-smoker around? Nah.

The craic is gone because of smoking bans? Really? How much craic is smoking?

electrogrimey

cloneslad wrote: »

smoke stinks up a room, smells bad, leaves me gasping for fresh air etc etc

Stinks up what room? By law nobody is allowed smoke in a room that you're in, unless it's a private residence, in which case it is your choice to go to said residence, and if the owner is a smoker, then don't go to the fcuking party.

Whosbetter?

In my experiance, anti-smokers are invariably shrivelled up dry shites who like to whinge & complain about everything in general.

The pick out smokers cos they're a handy target these days.

I can guarantee you all one thing about these people.
If every body in the world stopped smoking today, they'd spend all of tomorrow to find the next fashionable/handy thing to whinge about.

In short; these people are never happy......EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kenteach

electrogrimey wrote: »

Stinks up what room? By law nobody is allowed smoke in a room that you're in, unless it's a private residence, in which case it is your choice to go to said residence, and if the owner is a smoker, then don't go to the fcuking party.

Nobody said he didn't have a choice, he merely stated what smoking does. So whether you are a smoker or not, why would you like to be in a stinky room, a stinky car, or whatever?

Kernel

super_furry wrote: »

The craic is gone because of smoking bans? Really? How much craic is smoking?

Well, not great craic when everyone periodically leaves the pub to stand in the rain for a fag thus killing conversations and drunken thought processes otherwise known as 'pub wisdom'. If someone is standing beside you at the bus stop smoking, see those two appendages attached to your body via the hip joints? Use 'em! :cool:

TheZohanS

Whosbetter? wrote: »

In my experiance, anti-smokers are invariably shrivelled up dry shites who like to whinge & complain about everything in general.

The pick out smokers cos they're a handy target these days.

I can guarantee you all one thing about these people.
If every body in the world stopped smoking today, they'd spend all of tomorrow to find the next fashionable/hamdy thing to whinge about.

In short; these people are never happy......EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Easy tiger, we have non-smokers and smokers in this thread.

Tellox

Yeah, there's a big anti-smoker vibe on boards. That's why I get such a kick out of starting threads and making posts about how much I enjoy smoking.

And I do enjoy smoking.
Smoking is the ****ing dogs bollocks.

Second hand is a bit rotten when you get a mouthful of it though - mind, I doubt it's more unhealthy than the food/fizzy drinks/general crap that most people on here would normally consume on a daily basis.

electrogrimey

They do have a fair-argument, smoking is anti-social. It's not like alcohol ever leads to anti-social behaviour.

SoWatchaWant

Smoking is just a stupid, stupid route to go down, and that's it. Fortunately, they're being punished in every way imaginable for persevering. Basically it's helping you to quit- so you should be grateful... good for us non-smokers, definitely good for you

Tellox

SoWatchaWant wrote: »

Smoking is just a stupid, stupid route to go down, and that's it. Fortunately, they're being punished in every way imaginable for persevering. Basically it's helping you to quit- so you should be grateful... good for us non-smokers, definitely good for you

Nah, smoking's great.

electrogrimey

Kenteach wrote: »

Nobody said he didn't have a choice, he merely stated what smoking does. So whether you are a smoker or not, why would you like to be in a stinky room, a stinky car, or whatever?

I don't really, should we ban farting too? Or make that lane beside Tower Records off Grafton Street illegal?

TBH I quite miss the days of going into a pub with the lovely cosy old-fashioned smell of smoke, it looked way more rustic with the smoke hanging in the air too. And I wasn't even a smoker at the time.

Dave147

If someone smokes near you and uses the free country line, just do what I do and cough constantly in their face, follow them around saying it's a free country and "I can cough where I like"..

Duggy747

Smokers know exactly what fags do to them, we don't need others telling us so.

If we want help towards quitting, we'll ask. We're not junkies.

If a smoker lights up in your house without asking and all that bad etiquette then he's not just a smoker, he's a dickhead.

Kenteach

electrogrimey wrote: »

TBH I quite miss the days of going into a pub with the lovely cosy old-fashioned smell of smoke, it looked way more rustic with the smoke hanging in the air too. And I wasn't even a smoker at the time.

We all miss those days!! But we've learned since that, haven't we?

electrogrimey

Dave147 wrote: »

If someone smokes near you and uses the free country line, just do what I do and cough constantly in their face, follow them around saying it's a free country and "I can cough where I like"..

Or just do why I do. Step slightly to the side. Does the same job, except you don't look like a patronising dickhead.

Dave147

Whosbetter? wrote: »

In my experiance, anti-smokers are invariably shrivelled up dry shites who like to whinge & complain about everything in general.

The pick out smokers cos they're a handy target these days.

I can guarantee you all one thing about these people.
If every body in the world stopped smoking today, they'd spend all of tomorrow to find the next fashionable/handy thing to whinge about.

In short; these people are never happy......EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah, it's all because they're an easy target, bang on.. It's never anything to do with the fact that we hate how they look and how they smell, I hate everything about cigarettes, never tried one as I'm moved to nausea just by being around them. I have one or two smoker friends, they appreciate this - I don't give them a hard time because they make an effort not to smoke much around me.

Whatever hard time you get, you obviously deserve it. Think about other people instead of being selfish. I don't cough in someones face or sneeze on them (unless they smoke in my face :P)

MonkeyTennis

I have a big problem with smokers. The throwing of cig buts on the ground and out of cars. Its truly disgusting.

super_furry

electrogrimey wrote: »

They do have a fair-argument, smoking is anti-social. It's not like alcohol ever leads to anti-social behaviour.

No alcohol in that photo but one dude is clearly holding a cigarette.

Tellox

Dave147 wrote: »

If someone smokes near you and uses the free country line, just do what I do and cough constantly in their face, follow them around saying it's a free country and "I can cough where I like"..

Sounds like a great way to either get smoke or a fist to the face.

Prof.Badass

Who cares?

What annoys me is that the far safer nicotine replacement products are only available in chemists and even then you have to lie and pretend you want to give up nicotine to get them.

It makes no sense .

Canis Lupus

Whosbetter? wrote: »

In my experiance, anti-smokers are invariably shrivelled up dry shites who like to whinge & complain about everything in general.

I'm an exsmoker now for over two years. Not till you truly give them up that you realise what a horrible insidious little thing cigs are.

Sure if smoking is so great why is there a nice side industry on quitting products and pretty much every smoker I know has tried to give up or is planning on doing so?

The only person you're fooling with your lifestyle choice is yourself..

But your life, just try not to blow smoke my way kthnxbye.

Wazdakka

There is way too much agression towards smokers these days..
Even from other smokers...

My friend brought me back a few packs of local cigarettes from Warsaw,
I was enjoyiing a cigarette in the smoking garden of dorans and saw quite a cute girl smoking a plain boring Marlboro.

So being the kind hearted individual that I am I asked her would she like to smoke my pole instead..

High heels hurt..

LostGirly

If there is one thing worse than a non smoker its an ex smoker :rolleyes:

Personally I smoke but I would never spark up in a non-smoker's house/car/personal space. If I want one at the bus stop I'll move away from everyone else but please do not come into the smoking area with me when I chose to go out for a cig on a night out and then complain because you are freezing/bored/hate the smell etc. It's my choice to smoke and it's yours to stay the f*ck inside while I'm gone, I don't go to the bathroom with you and complain that you're taking too long to p*ss!!

Herbal Deity

It's a result of propaganda, plain and simple.

People aren't anti-smoking because they've collectively rationally deduced that smoking is so awful. Society doesn't work like that.

It's quite obvious that people being anti-smoking is directly related to the government and the EU's anti-smoking campaigns.

While it's not on the level of something like inciting a nation to hate those of a particular race or creed, it is manipulation of public opinion through effective advertising campaigns in recent years.

Pace2008

D wrote: »

What annoys a lot of people is the casual nature smokers expose others to second hand smoke. For example at bus stops. The smokers always come back with "Its a free country", it doesn't matter to them that they are slowly killing everyone around them.

If they're smoking outdoors it's not harming you at all. Secondhand smoke is only an issue in enclosed spaces.

Whosbetter?

Canis Lupus wrote: »

I'm an exsmoker now for over two years. Not till you truly give them up that you realise what a horrible insidious little thing cigs are.

Sure if smoking is so great why is there a nice side industry on quitting products and pretty much every smoker I know has tried to give up or is planning on doing so?

The only person you're fooling with your lifestyle choice is yourself..

But your life, just try not to blow smoke my way kthnxbye.

Not defending smoking at all.

Smoking the last 20 years myself & hope to quit soon!

It's the patronising attitude of (some) anti-smokers that grates sometimes.:)

Stercus Accidit

I've never been attacked by someone who had one too many fags.

electrogrimey

super_furry wrote: »

No alcohol in that photo but one dude is clearly holding a cigarette.

Oh I'm sure it was the cigarette that started the fight...except that it was one of the first of thousands of results in a 'drunken fight' search on google.

Canis Lupus

Whosbetter? wrote: »

It's the patronising attitude of (some) anti-smokers that grates sometimes.:)

Wait till you give em up. I think it's the smugness. We just can't help ourselves :P

Dave147

electrogrimey wrote: »

Or just do why I do. Step slightly to the side. Does the same job, except you don't look like a patronising dickhead.

What are you, saviour of the smokers? If someone smokes in my face and I politely ask them to move and they don't then I have absolutely no qualms about coughing into their face, just because you're too afraid to stand up to someone don't call me a patronising dickhead you clown.

Acacia

There's certainly as much venom towards over-weight people as there is towards smokers, if not more.

Wee bit of a persecution complex with smokers, me thinks.

ctrl-alt-delete

Pace2008 wrote: »

If they're smoking outdoors it's not harming you at all. Secondhand smoke is only an issue in enclosed spaces.

I'm pretty sure if someone was smoking around you outside and you took some in with a breath it would do more damage to you if you walked through a smoke filled room holding your breath.

I have no problem with smokers or people wanting to smoke, i just don't like it when i'm downwind of it at a bustop, or when i get a breathfull of it walking into a building were people are smoking outside.

Kenteach

Since when did the fact that some neanderthal tools can't handle drink become a defence for smoking, and an argument against its all too obvious dangers?

electrogrimey

Dave147 wrote: »

If someone smokes in my face and I politely ask them to move and they don't then I have absolutely no qualms about coughing into their face, just because you're too afraid to stand up to someone don't call me a patronising dickhead you clown.

Standing up to someone and being awkward for the sake of it are different things, and I never called you anything, if I had, TheZohan would have banned me, instead of thanking my post.

There's nothing wrong with smoking on the street, seeing as it's the only place we can. If there's someone smoking beside you, there's no reason they should move, you should move if it bothers you.