What is your view on smoking?..

[Circadia]

.. Do you find it disgusting, nice, think its down to choice, whatever.
I'm asking this because I found out today that the lads I hang round with smoke, and me and Cameron had a debate about it on MSN, anyway my opinion on smoking is that its disgusting and I would never get into smoking but its down to the persons own choice. Whats your view?

Thread moved by Slowpoke (Forum Moderator) from Discuss Anything as I believe it's more suited here :)

[Rozi]

I personally have no problem with it unless it impacts on people around you. I think people smoking around children is disgusting, especially in cars. I smoke because I enjoy it but I can't really foresee me doing it far into the future.

[dirrty]

i don't smoke (the cliche never have, never will) & i don't care along as you don't blow it in my face/in my direction

[buttons]

why would anyone find it nice though? there are people that think it's sexy and i don't get why........
anyway i have smoked before, its not exactly pleasant but i guess it's hard to explain if you're not a smoker. it's HORRIBLE when someone who just had a smoke sits next to you ie on a bus. stale smoke on clothes is gross too but you don't smell it on yourself. now that i've quit i deffo notice it on people more. i'll never date a smoker either, even though i do it with a drink lol

[beth]

i can't afford to smoke regularly anymore, but when i'm with my best friend he always smokes with me, so i guess i do still socially smoke. doesn't bother me in the least. i quite like the taste, and the smell. i have no addiction to it at all, so i don't see it as a problem. i understand the health risks but it's my body and my life. wouldn't have a problem dating a smoker. my ex hated me smoking so i didn't smoke when i was with him. and if someone asked me to never smoke again (and i liked them enough) i probably wouldn't touch another. it's not a necessity in my life, something i occasionally enjoy.

[Jordan]

I don't like it, and I also don't plan on doing it in the future at all. My parents smoke and it really bugs me in the car so I wind down the window whether it is pissing it down or if its freezing cold.

[Slowpoke]

I smoke when I'm out at parties or on nights out in town. I used to smoke all the time but I cut down due to the fact that I have asthma (yeah I know, stupid) :P I wouldn't really call it "nice". It feels pretty nice I suppose, especially the first one of the night. If it wasn't pleasurable in some way then it wouldn't be addictive. As far as I'm aware, nicotine releases small amounts of dopamine in the brain which is what makes it addictive

[Mark]

i don't smoke (the cliche never have, never will) & i don't care along as you don't blow it in my face/in my direction

This is my opinion really

[Laurrenbbz]

well I've never really liked smoking atall.. I hate it being blown in my face because when it does it makes me feel phisically sick. I know a few people in my year who I hang with who smoke, not just ciggerettes weed aswell and it's really disgusting tbh, glad I don't do it :P but yep, personally I think it's a disgusting habbit, especially around children.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Can I ask all those who say smoking is disgusting, can you say to us all truthfully that you've never thrown up from drinking too much and have never taken drugs, spat on the ground, thrown gum on the pavement or dropped litter? because if you can say you haven't done any of these things (which I doubt many of you can) then at least you are talking some sense, if not - stop pretending you find it disgusting when you yourself are far more disgusting than any smoker.

As for myself I have never smoked or tried it, nor do I intend to - I find it expensive, not my taste and not really worth it. I would add though, that I am sick to death of the rabid anti-smoking lobby who think that they have a right to decide where people can and cannot smoke.

If you don't like smoke 'being blown in your face' (as far as i'm aware people do not go around 'blowing' smoke in the face of others) then move away.

[The Don]

I’ve tried it a couple of times and it’s really not my thing. I don’t really care if my friends smoke, as long as it’s not in my house or car. I have no respect for partners who smoke while the mothers pregnant or when they have a young child as its obviously dangerous and the child can’t simply move to a different room or go outside.

[Narnat,]

I really can't stand the smell of it, my mum smokes but my dad stopped like 20 odd years ago. I think it's really the persons choice if I'm honest

[Neversoft]

I tend to find attractive girls who smoke even more attractive. Guess I have a bit of a fetish going on. I don't really have any particular 'views' on smoking, if people want to do it then that's fine, it has nothing to do with me. Just as long as they do it outside. I've smoked a couple of times in the past, but that's enough for me I think. I like being healthy.

[Mathew]

Can I ask all those who say smoking is disgusting, can you say to us all truthfully that you've never thrown up from drinking too much and have never taken drugs, spat on the ground, thrown gum on the pavement or dropped litter? because if you can say you haven't done any of these things (which I doubt many of you can) then at least you are talking some sense, if not - stop pretending you find it disgusting when you yourself are far more disgusting than any smoker.
lolol, I've never done any of those things! I have never tried a cigarette and I have no intentions at all; it's absolutely horrible. People can do whatever they like in their own homes, but if I go to an enclosed public space then I do not want to smell such a horrible odour. Especially when it apparently has health risks.

[HotelUser]

It feels horrible watching someone in your family ruin their lives because they're addicted to smoking cigarettes or marijuana.

If you smoke and this offends you I'm very glad: I don't smoke anything because I'm not an idiot.

[Rozi]

It feels horrible watching someone in your family ruin their lives because they're addicted to smoking cigarettes or marijuana.

If you smoke and this offends you I'm very glad: I don't smoke anything because I'm not an idiot.

lol how is that going to offend anyone... you've made a completely valid point

[Stephen]

Can I ask all those who say smoking is disgusting, can you say to us all truthfully that you've never thrown up from drinking too much and have never taken drugs, spat on the ground, thrown gum on the pavement or dropped litter? because if you can say you haven't done any of these things (which I doubt many of you can) then at least you are talking some sense, if not - stop pretending you find it disgusting when you yourself are far more disgusting than any smoker.

As for myself I have never smoked or tried it, nor do I intend to - I find it expensive, not my taste and not really worth it. I would add though, that I am sick to death of the rabid anti-smoking lobby who think that they have a right to decide where people can and cannot smoke.

If you don't like smoke 'being blown in your face' (as far as i'm aware people do not go around 'blowing' smoke in the face of others) then move away.

damn throwing litter on the ground oh no that's so disgusting!!!!!! makes me feel sick omg im gonna puke

BLUURHSDUJIGYTL

thanks for mentioning about litter, you might aswell of just shown me the body of a decapitated squirrel

Edited by Slowpoke (Forum Moderator): Please do not make pointless posts.

[beth]

I don't smoke anything because I'm not an idiot.

many very intelligent people smoke. :)

[Slowpoke]

If you don't like smoke 'being blown in your face' (as far as i'm aware people do not go around 'blowing' smoke in the face of others) then move away.

In addition, to the people saying they hate it when friends blow cigarette smoke into their faces: either grow a back bone and tell them to grow up and stop it, or find yourself a new group of friends who aren't so childish and inconsiderate.

[HotelUser]

many very intelligent people smoke. :)

We do enough things in our every day life to kill ourselves faster as it is, smoking dirty cigarettes to do it even faster is the act of an idiot.

[Rozi]

We do enough things in our every day life to kill ourselves faster as it is, smoking dirty cigarettes to do it even faster is the act of an idiot.

Everyone is entitled to enjoy their life as they like. If for you it's to prolong it for as long as possible then fair enough, but you have to acknowledge that this isn't everyone's agenda.

[HotelUser]

Everyone is entitled to enjoy their life as they life. If for you it's to prolong it for as long as possible then fair enough, but you have to acknowledge that this isn't everyone's agenda.

I don't care if people who over smoke harmful substances have a different agenda than me because a lot of those people still have families and friends who care about them and who would be devastated at the thought of losing them because they got cancer and died.

[Slowpoke]

If you smoke and this offends you I'm very glad: I don't smoke anything because I'm not an idiot.

Answer me this, David: why is it allowed to publically ridicule smokers for their habit yet it's not okay to publically ridicule a dangerously obese person who continues to eat McDonalds, for example? It's essentially the same thing, the person continues to do something that is bad for their health, even though they are completely aware that it is.

[HotelUser]

Answer me this, David: why is it allowed to publically ridicule smokers for their habit yet it's not okay to publically ridicule a dangerously obese person who continues to eat McDonalds, for example? It's essentially the same thing, the person continues to do something that is bad for their health, even though they are completely aware that it is.

I don't disagree with you :)

[Slowpoke]

Excellent :P The thing that gets me more about the fast food industry is that a lot of the advertisements are aimed at children. I don't agree with that, at all. It's been proven that foods high in salt, sugar and fat - like McDonalds - release brain chemicals in a similar fashion to drugs. That being said, I think that anyone 18+ should be allowed to do whatever they want; be it eating junk food, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, taking drugs etc as long as it doesn't harm other people. That's where it gets complicated however, and requires a whole new topic of discussion :P

[-:Undertaker:-]

lolol, I've never done any of those things! I have never tried a cigarette and I have no intentions at all; it's absolutely horrible. People can do whatever they like in their own homes, but if I go to an enclosed public space then I do not want to smell such a horrible odour. Especially when it apparently has health risks.

They [smokers] ought to be able to do it outside (in a supposed free country) and inside should they wish and should the owner wish. Thats freedom right? and if you don't like it then you can simply stay away or go somewhere which does have an inside ban on smoking. Now does that sound fair? because I wouldn't like to tell you what clothes to wear or what colour to paint your bedroom just as people don't like the government or you telling them whether or not they can allow people to smoke in property that they own. Oh and passive smoking is grossly over-exaggerated. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1556118/Christopher-Bookers-notebook.html)


damn throwing litter on the ground oh no that's so disgusting!!!!!! makes me feel sick omg im gonna puke

BLUURHSDUJIGYTL

thanks for mentioning about litter, you might aswell of just shown me the body of a decapitated squirrel

Edited by Slowpoke (Forum Moderator): Please do not make pointless posts.

I think throwing litter on the ground is pig ignorant and it does disgust me far more than somebody smoking, yes.


Answer me this, David: why is it allowed to publically ridicule smokers for their habit yet it's not okay to publically ridicule a dangerously obese person who continues to eat McDonalds, for example? It's essentially the same thing, the person continues to do something that is bad for their health, even though they are completely aware that it is.

Indeed, and its the same with HIV/Aids - anybody who smokes brings lung cancer upon themselves, but HIV/Aids which result from certain forms of seuxal behaviour? hey, its a god awful thing! the same applies to girls who 'suddenly fall pregnant'.

As I said earlier, I too am sick of smokers being villified when others groups are exempt from this type of criticism.

[Slowpoke]

It's not often we agree, but I definitely do agree with you here :D

[Cerys]

I have never tried a cigarette, and I never will. Imo I think it's a disgusting thing, because you're damaging your body, and unwillingly/unaware that you're forcing friends and family and even people who are walking past you to inhale the deadly smoke.

[Mikey]

I don't smoke and never will to be honest.. but there's quite alot of people I know that do. I don't mind people smoking as they can do whatever they want to do in their life and if they want to smoke then it's their choice. People I hang around with know that smoking is bad for them and some of them want to quit but they find it too hard to do. I've been asked if I want to try a cigarette a few times but I'm like no thanks, I would rather not. :)

[Red]

Can I ask all those who say smoking is disgusting, can you say to us all truthfully that you've never thrown up from drinking too much and have never taken drugs, spat on the ground, thrown gum on the pavement or dropped litter? because if you can say you haven't done any of these things (which I doubt many of you can) then at least you are talking some sense, if not - stop pretending you find it disgusting when you yourself are far more disgusting than any smoker.

As for myself I have never smoked or tried it, nor do I intend to - I find it expensive, not my taste and not really worth it. I would add though, that I am sick to death of the rabid anti-smoking lobby who think that they have a right to decide where people can and cannot smoke.

If you don't like smoke 'being blown in your face' (as far as i'm aware people do not go around 'blowing' smoke in the face of others) then move away.

Well I do none of those things. If people want to smoke thats their choice but they have no right to force their second hand smoke onto others. I can remember before it was enforced, sitting in a cafe and someone lighting up right beside me and just feeling complete anger. I find it disgusting and it annoys me when people jut throw their butts anywhere. If I found someone attractive, but found out the smoked, i'd be really turned off. I HATE the smell of it and it really hurts my eyes and ears. At family parties when all my family are smoking I literally come away with my eyes burning. My mum started smoking a few years ago after quitting before I was born and I think its just selfish for anyone to smoke around their children.

Also to the post that its ok to publicly ridicule smokers for their habit but not a dangerously obese person. Its not the same thing.. that person is just hurting themselves. Their habit isn't affecting the other people sitting around them trying to eat.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Well I do none of those things. If people want to smoke thats their choice but they have no right to force their second hand smoke onto others. I can remember before it was enforced, sitting in a cafe and someone lighting up right beside me and just feeling complete anger. I find it disgusting and it annoys me when people jut throw their butts anywhere. If I found someone attractive, but found out the smoked, i'd be really turned off. I HATE the smell of it and it really hurts my eyes and ears. At family parties when all my family are smoking I literally come away with my eyes burning. My mum started smoking a few years ago after quitting before I was born and I think its just selfish for anyone to smoke around their children.

Don't go that Café then.

[Red]

Don't go to the cafe? Before the smoking ban there wasn't any public eating places where you could be smoke free. :S You said you wouldn't tell someone what clothes to wear or what colour to paint their bedroom. However the difference being these things doesn't affect the health of anyone else around them. If people want to smoke then fair enough but the shouldn't subject people to their smoke they don't want to breathe in.

[MrAnonymous]

Its Reem. im reem.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Don't go to the cafe? Before the smoking ban there wasn't any public eating places where you could be smoke free. :S

Well this is false as smoking and non-smoking areas operated beforehand but lets say for example this is true, so what? you don't own shares in a food chain nor do you own a Café therefore you don't get to make the decisions of how that business decides to operate. You have as much right to order a pub owner to stop people smoking in his pub as I have in telling you what colour your bedroom wall is, none.

Using government as a tool to enforce your views on others is wrong, you wouldn't like it done to you so don't do it to others.


You said you wouldn't tell someone what clothes to wear or what colour to paint their bedroom. However the difference being these things doesn't affect the health of anyone else around them. If people want to smoke then fair enough but the shouldn't subject people to their smoke they don't want to breathe in.

I just posted about this over-exaggerated threat from 'passive smoking'.

Besides, do you consume foods and drink at KFC, Burger King, McDonalds/fatty and salted foods in general along with alcohol? if so, why are you pretending to be overly concerned about your health from a threat which doesn't even register, especially when compared to the former?

[Red]

Well arn't I lucky that the ban did come in place and people felt they could tell the pub owner to stop smoking :O
I don't drink alcohol and fatty foods are ok in moderation. If I wanted to eat fatty foods and make myself obese thats ok. Like its ok for people to smoke and affect their own bodies. Difference is eating fatty foods only affects you, not the other people around you.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Well arn't I lucky that the ban did come in place and people felt they could tell the pub owner to stop smoking :O
I don't drink alcohol and fatty foods are ok in moderation. If I wanted to eat fatty foods and make myself obese thats ok. Like its ok for people to smoke and affect their own bodies. Difference is eating fatty foods only affects you, not the other people around you.

And we've already been through this on passive smoking.

[Red]

so whats you evidence for it being over-exagerated? At the end of the day smoking and in turn passive smoke has negative effects on your health whether you think its over-exagerated or not.

[-:Undertaker:-]

so whats you evidence for it being over-exagerated? At the end of the day smoking and in turn passive smoke has negative effects on your health whether you think its over-exagerated or not.

So do many things, car fumes for example - you are exposed to them far more than smoking, almost all of the time especially if you live in an urban area. Other examples include colourants and dyes in food and drink, GM crops, fertilisers, pesticies, strong salts, hydrogenic cooking oil, excess fats....... passive smoking (which is grossly over-exaggerated) should be the least of your concerns.

[Red]

Are you trying to say that passive smoking isn't dangerous? It is my concern. Smoke hurts my eyes and nose. It lingers on your clothes and I would like to eat and taste my food without someones second hand smoke wafting in my direction.

[Rozi]

The fact is the overwhelming majority of non-smokers do find passive smoking unpleasant, especially in enclosed spaces. As a smoker myself I find it fairly gross too. I've got no problem with the smoking ban and I think it actually creates a much nicer atmosphere. I can remember my dad lighting up half way through a pizza express and it was possibly the most disgusting and pitiful thing I can remember. There is no need whatsoever for people to smoke in cafes or restaurants and I don't think it has effected pubs and bars that much, and has actually led to much nicer outside areas.

[Catzsy]

The fact is the overwhelming majority of non-smokers do find passive smoking unpleasant, especially in enclosed spaces. As a smoker myself I find it fairly gross too. I've got no problem with the smoking ban and I think it actually creates a much nicer atmosphere. I can remember my dad lighting up half way through a pizza express and it was possibly the most disgusting and pitiful thing I can remember. There is no need whatsoever for people to smoke in cafes or restaurants and I don't think it has effected pubs and bars that much, and has actually led to much nicer outside areas.

I agree with you. It is much more continental these days and council don't seem to be so heavy handed with tables outside. As an asthma sufferer I prefer it but I would not want to see it banned completely as it is a way of life for some especially older people who smoked when it was considered 'cool' and if it was where would it end. I do think that people who smoke should be respectful of their children and babies as it can be damaging to their health. Outside in the fresh air is probably the best.

[Hopeless]

I have no problem with people who smoke and if a few of my mates are smoking I'll happily go into the beer garden or 'cage' that clubs/pubs have. People should be able to do what they want. I think the smoking ban is a dodgy one, I just about agree with it on the basis that a lot of pubs serve food and I don't think the two should mix. At the end of the day, smoking has taken lives so anything to discourage people is a positive. I don't want to hear pointless rhetoric about fatty foods because there are also campaigns to discourage that too.

[geo]

I don't mind people smoking as I respect that it's their choice and they can smoke if they wish. However, I don't think (well, I hope) that I'll ever trying as I just don't see the need. So many people say ''I'll just try it, I won't get addicted'' but I've seen some of my friends say that and it seems like they struggle to go to school without wanting to smoke. I don't want to be like that, so I just won't even bother trying. The only times I don't like it is when people smoke in front of infants or affect those around them. :P

[Slowpoke]

I don't think it has effected pubs and bars that much

It certainly has Rozi. But it's not just because of the smoking ban that pubs are now struggling, it's also due to the fact they are being forced to raise the price of alcohol to ridiculous levels thanks to government constantly hiking up the price. They just cannot compete with supermarkets. Look at it this way, as an example; why would John and his friends want to go to the pub for a night out and everytime they want a cigarette, they are forced to go and stand outside in the cold. Bear in mind that John smokes much more when he's drinking, so it's terribly inconvenient for him to have to get up and go outside every fifteen minutes. John and his friends could quite easily go and have a night in at John's house, buying three crates of beer for £20 from Tesco (much, much cheaper than in the pubs) and be able to smoke without having to go outside all the time.

Granted, it isn't just because of the smoking ban that pubs are struggling. But if you do a bit of research, you'll see the amount of people that visit pubs has declined at an alarming rate since the smoking ban.

I heard the government are re-thinking smoking bans in the pubs. I think it'd make sense to let pubs have a room which is designated for smoking, or maybe allow smoking after 7pm when the kids are asked to leave, for example?

Something needs to be done though else it'll be goodbye to the great British pub for good! :(

[Caution]

I don't have a problem with it and I think people ridiculously over-exaggerate their feelings about it. It's a person's own choice to smoke, they know the risks and the effects it has on them. I can't stand it when people seem so disgusted at the thought of someone smoking two or three at the weekend while drinking. People genuinely seem to be under the impression that if you smoke a cigarette, you're immediately unhealthy. I've smoked at a party before, I can't say I'll never do it again, but I certainly wouldn't make a habit of it as I like being healthy and it's too expensive to smoke regularly.

[Jurv]

I've never tried smoking before and that's basically because I don't want to try it yet, if I was ever going to smoke it will be when I'm a lot older. There is quite a large group of people in my year who smoke and it doesn't bother me unless they do it during school time. I don't really care what they do with their body outside of school whether it be drinking large amounts of alcohol or taking drugs but I hate it when they do it whilst at school, there's a time and place to smoke and it's not whilst you're studying.

I don't hate smokers but I find it disgusting when I see people smoking at very young ages or near young children. :P

[Stephen]

I hate the smell of pubs now tbh. I always thought the smell of cigarettes gave the pubs that pubby smell :(

[-:Undertaker:-]

The fact is the overwhelming majority of non-smokers do find passive smoking unpleasant, especially in enclosed spaces. As a smoker myself I find it fairly gross too. I've got no problem with the smoking ban and I think it actually creates a much nicer atmosphere. I can remember my dad lighting up half way through a pizza express and it was possibly the most disgusting and pitiful thing I can remember. There is no need whatsoever for people to smoke in cafes or restaurants and I don't think it has effected pubs and bars that much, and has actually led to much nicer outside areas.

29 pubs are now closing every week in this country. (http://www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=294840)


I've got no problem with the smoking ban and I think it actually creates a much nicer atmosphere.

However, do you accept that it should be up to the pub owner to decide whether or not smoking is allowed in his property?

[Abbie.]

people always stick cigs in my mouth when im drunk and in a smoking area :\ i cant actually smoke though, i can feel it burn my throat and its disgusting.

[Matthew]

Smokers don't bother me, as long as their smoke is not affecting anyone else. I think that people who smoke when in crowds (such as before a football match perhaps) are inconsiderate, as their smoke isn't just gonna shorten their life, but the life of those around them as well.

If you want to kill yourself by smoking, go ahead, but just don't bring others down with you.

[Slowpoke]

I hate the smell of pubs now tbh. I always thought the smell of cigarettes gave the pubs that pubby smell :(

Definitely!


29 pubs are now closing every week in this country. (http://www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=294840)

Cheers for that :D

[GirlNextDoor15]

I've never tried smoking and will not try it. I have no problems with smokers as long as they don't smoke in front of me. Imo, I think we all are trying to live as healthy as possible and so, there's no need to compare smoking with other things like pollution etc.

[wiktoria]

People can smoke as long as they're not near me.

[Rainbow]

I don't smoke and never will and tbh when i'm with my parents and they smoke I can barely breathe I don't really know why I cant though?:S

[Metric1]

I smoke maybe 3-4 cigarettes a day, mainly in the afternoon/night. I live with my 2 brothers and sister and we all chill on the deck in the evenings and have beers and smoke. I have nobody to hide it from, my mom and dad both smoke, I can smoke where and when I please. If I'm driving I have nothing better to do than smoke, so I smoke but I don't use the ashtray in my car (ash out the window or sunroof)

[Technologic]

As long as it aint around me and people dont just dump it on the ground i dont really care. Killing themselves but hey, their choice

[Jazz]

I dont really mind people smoking, I sometimes have one on the way to college but not that often really