Chitchat & Stuff +

Brenda · Last edited by Brenda on Sun Nov 23, 2008 2:28 pm; edited 1 time in total

I wish I hadn't started this thread now...sorry for that.
The whole question was about should someone tell you what you can and cannot do...smoking was the example.
I didn't put this in to be discussed on whether smokers smell or who hates it or whatever.
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selious5 · CC&S VIP Joined: 09 May 2008 Posts: 817

In my experience I have found many reformed smokers to be the worst for condemnation of those who still smoke. Smoking is definately bad for your health and does leave a distinct stuffy smell in the home but I have always believed in the right of the individual to choose. I feel rightly or wrongly that you cannot push the rights of one by infringing on the rights of others. Each has the right of choice. In the matter of smoking there should be areas designated for both choices and smokers should not have to be slagged off by others in degrogatory terms.

However the government and medical profession have jumped on this situation as a drive to improve health and save money through smoke related illnesses but I am very wary that such demands may be the tip of the inceberg and could escalate to other things. That's my opinion but I have always believed in democracy and I will always believe in the right of choice

Serenity · CC&S Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 4496

It's a pity smoking was ever invented, but thats mankind for ya.

I don't think anyone has the right to tell another to stop smoking, or anything they do for enjoyment to be honest. Although since my mums illness has been diagnosed, as good as she is cutting down to just a few I have been on her case to stop completely as I know they wont perform her operation, and she is just feeding her illness. But that's different I think.

I've been a smoker on and off throughtout my life since the age of 11. The most I ever smoked was 20 a day for about 10 of those years. I then gave up for 8 years, then started for a year, gave up for a year and so on, I am a non smoker now and am suitably scared enough never to start again, seeings my dad died of lung cancer aged 51 and now mum has been diagnosed I'm praying it isn't an heredatory illness.

I think it's a personal choice for the individual, as long as they are considerate to non smokers. Before the non smoking in public places law came into a while back, as a smoker I would go outside to smoke anyway. Also I never smoked in the house during pregnancy OR after I had children. I would never have lit up in a non smokers house as I'm sure you wouldn't do either Brenda, so I don't see why you have to give up if you enjoy it, just because you want to visit family. I think they should respect your choice to smoke, it's your body and health after all, and if you're not worried about the consequences then they shouldn't be either Smile

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Brenda · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:52 pm Post subject:

Oh no, I would never light up in anyone's house unless they did too! Dave and I don't even smoke in our own house.
There is now new literature put around at the medical centre where I clean...it's all about intervening on smokers and it's called "How to approach a smoker about their habit" or something along those lines.
I think the idea that is being pushed nowadays is to get others to "get on your back" to stop you from doing whatever it is you are doing.

Do you know that one day when I was at the pokies, one of the attendants asked me if I thought I was spending too much money. And am I ok for money. He said he has a "duty of care".
I don't know what it's like overseas but here we are treated like a nation of morons or children who can't think and do for ourselves, we have to be supervised by others..it's demeaning to say the least.

If the government and doctors were so much against these things, why don't they just ban them? Get rid of it all and that would solve the problem. You know why they don't? Because we are paying very high tax on cigarettes and they need it.
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Serenity · CC&S Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 4496

Thats awful getting people to nag you to stop!

The same as drinking alcohol, that has serious health issues attached but people do it because they enjoy it. You wouldn't expect family members to nag you if you liked going out for a few pints in the week, its up to the individual!

You'll have to tell them they are being unreasonable asking you to stop so you can visit. Tell them you want to visit and spend quality family time with them and your being a smoker shouldn't interfere with that. Just assure them you'll be outside smoking Smile

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Skippy X · Member Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 431

i'm against smoking in front of non-smokers.
not because of health conditions, but because it stinks!! smokers don't often realise how unpleasant the smell is to non-smokers, especially when it's on clothes... i'm glad they banned smoking in pubs & clubs, as now my clothes don't smell rank when i get home!!!

when not around non-smokers, i believe smokers should be able to smoke whatever & how many they like. quite frankly, the more the better, as without the tax from cigarettes the government would increase it on things i buy!!!

jooby · Member Joined: 12 Nov 2008 Posts: 15

I think you should quit smoking. I think every smoker should quit. However, it is not my decision. Smoking is awful and if you want to keep killing yourself on this path go ahead. It annoys me how people hold anti-smoking campaigns and rallies. I think that everybody is aware of the health threats smoking poses and would like to quit. If somebody rallies, what would that change? You want to do something but you can't, does somebody trying to force you to do it change the outcome if you can't? I suppose everybody should at least try to quit and if they don't that sucks for them. Also, I agree with Skippy... IT SMELLS NASTY!

Serenity · CC&S Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 4496

The thing is, being a smoker you don't realise how bad you smell. I never thought I smelled when I was one. But now I'm a non smoker I can smell a smoker from 10 paces.
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dreama

Serenity · CC&S Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 4496

Awww Brenda Sad

I didn't realise you were taking offence, I didn't mean to offend you, I'm so sorry. As Shell said, it's a hot topic that will get a response whether good or bad from most people. It was good people were contributing I thought as we've had the same topic before and got practically the same response. Nothing was said as a personal slur hunni , it's just banter and opinions xxx
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Brenda · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:50 pm Post subject:

I have to admit that I did take it personally...I realise that it is just opinions.
I'm quite thin-skinned at the moment, which is my problem, no one else's so I apologise if I upset anyone with my comments.
I was just a bit put off and angry I suppose at my brother's attitude. He has been a smoker for a lot of years and has given it up, may I add that he had tablets to do it - I can't take the same tabs because they will affect my BP. His wife is also a non-smoker, and has never smoked, he also has 4 kids so I guess the incentive is there anyway.
I was upset by his lecturing me about smoking - he has no right as far as I'm concerned - and the audacity of him to say to me "when you come up here I expect you to be a non-smoker" I think is a bit off.
That's why I told him, I guess then I won't be coming!
No one has the right to tell anyone else how to live their life. I agree whole-heartedly that it stinks, and people seem to think that if you are a smoker you don't smell it but believe me...you do!
When I started it was a peer-pressure thing, now it has turned upside-down. I was pressured into lighting up that first cig from my school mates who all did it, now I feel I am being pressured into giving it up and I don't like feeling pressured to do anything - I guess I still have that little rebel inside of me that was there growing up.

Just lately I feel that I am always doing something wrong, this thread was just an extra!
It's ok though, please don't worry about my blubbering on coz that's all it is - I am feeling down and I guess I want everyone to know it LOL.
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dreama · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 7:25 am Post subject:

from the perspective of a reformed smoker, my reasons for going on about it, although i don't too much, is that i think if i can do it, anyone can. i used to smoke about 40 a day, although at the time i would have only admitted to 20 Embarassed

. the smell you smell as a non smoker is completely different to that of a smoker. like deb i can smell a smoker from 20 feet away, and anything that comes from my mums house, including pots, pans, absolutely reek of smoke. but it smells like rubbish tip smoke, not at all like you think when you smoke. When i smoked, i would say about 20% of the fags i smoked were for pleasure, the rest were for habit. i don't believe anyone has the right to dictate HOWEVER, i do think the reasoning behind reformed smokers is good, its the way they act it out thats wrong.
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Serenity · CC&S Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 4496

(((((((((Brenda))))))))) I know all about being thin skinned at times, I'm sure we all get like that lol, I totally agree that your son should not dictate to you that you should give up, he's well out of order. I can also understand that you're hurt by it too, anyone would be, expecially when all you want to do is visit them and spend time with them!
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