Why so much venom towards smokers and not others?

liah · 03-12-2009 07:31PM #1

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 · 03-12-2009 07:33PM

Smoking does not make ugly girls look good.

03-12-2009 07:34PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:34PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:36PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:36PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:36PM

super_furry wrote: »

Smoking does not make ugly girls look good.

If you generate enough smoke she might through the haze!

fizzynicenice · 03-12-2009 07:37PM

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

Kernel · 03-12-2009 07:37PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:37PM

But Alcohol makes me funny, and fearless.

liah · 03-12-2009 07:38PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:39PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:39PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:40PM

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.

03-12-2009 07:40PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:41PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:42PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:42PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:44PM

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? · 03-12-2009 07:46PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:46PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:47PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:48PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:48PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:48PM

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

SoWatchaWant · 03-12-2009 07:50PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:51PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:51PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:54PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:54PM

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 · 03-12-2009 07:55PM

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?

Why so much venom towards smokers and not others?

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