Smoking in Public

Wow. That really sucks, semi. What inconsiderate dolts.

They could at least have stepped over a bit and made sure not to subject others to their smoke. I'm sure folks would have respected their position in line. I would've.

I know pretty much that if I can see the sky-I can smoke as long as I'm outside the area of an entrance restricted by the law.

  I usually move away from other people when I smoke-I already know I'm a pariah for smoking these days anyway-I figure why drive the point home?

  Wish other smokers realized this, too. We already look bad enough.

The smokers were inconsiderate but legally within their limits. I believe the law about entrances you're referring to is a policy at ECM, not an enacted law in the city.

You could certainly have asked them to move, but you would have risked their anger and a possible physical confrontation. It's what's called a "trade off" in life. There are many we face each day.

Let me ask, was it worth it? Did you get that great deal you wanted? Was the deal worth the second hand smoke? Is there a store that sells common sense?

 They would have been perfectly happy if you had walked away giving them your place in line.

There is no way that I would subject myself to this kind of abuse in the name of bragging rights to a sale price! I am quite happy to pay a little more for something and keep my dignity!

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If you could have heard the female that was smoking, you wouldn't have ask her to move. She was telling everyone within the sound of her voice that she "don't take no crap" off of anyone. She was  one of those "redneck, tough, don't mess with me" types.

Was it worth it? Would I do it every year if it wasn't? I wasn't looking for a store with common sense, didn't know there was such a thing. Was it worth the second hand smoke? Have you ever walked by anyone smoking? Was it worth getting to where you were going?

Oh, btw, yes, I did get the deal I was wanting. In fact, I got 2 of them.    

Let me ask, was it worth it? Did you get that great deal you wanted? Was the deal worth the second hand smoke? Is there a store that sells common sense?

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Was what worth it? Are you saying she was somehow wrong to be there? So what if she did or didn't get that "great deal"? Why should she have been subjected to second hand smoke? Who needs the "common sense"? The person well within her rights to shop where and when she wants, or the smokers that should know by now that the smoke bothers a lot of people and it's bad manners to blow smoke in a group of people? IF you're a smoker, do you ever ask yourself how you'd feel if someone was doing something next to you that was putting off a foul smell? Would you like to be trapped next to a person with awful B.O, or that kept talking to you and had rotten breath?

I wish a smoker would explain why they get so offended when someone says the cigarette smoke bothers them, even if that person tells them politely. If I'm caught to close to the cigarette smoke, or the smoker has that overpowering "cigarette smell" coming off of them my eyes start watering, my nose itches and I start sneezing. (That goes for the weed smokers too) I do the same if dust is blowing around, there's pollen in the air, smoke from burning leaves, or fireplaces, if there's a heavy perfume on someone, or a place is full of those scented candles. IF you say to a smoker, "the candles smell so strong they're making me sneeze", they'll smile and say, yes, they smell good but they are strong. IF you say that fireplace is smoking they'll agree that the owner should fix it so it isn't "smoking up" the place. IF you were to-gasp-tell them their cigarette smoke, or the smell of those cigarettes on them, is making your eyes water, nose itch and making you sneeze-look out!! Some smokers will flat out tell you that they're glad it "bothers" people like that. Glad it bothers people? Really? Even kids, babies, or people with health issues? 

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I didn't mean to imply that I was abused in any way, & in what way did I say I lost my dignity? Where was I bragging? I don't mind paying more for something I want either & have done it many times. Black Friday is just something my friends & I enjoy doing. A man will sit in front of TV all day watching men knock each other down over a ball & slapping each other on the butt because it's something he enjoys. I would never try to make anyone feel stupid over something he/she enjoys doing. 

My main reason for posting this was to find out if there were laws about smoking in certain places. I didn't know if it was just ECM & Keller Hospital or if it was every business.

For some reason it seems that a lot of these inconsiderate smokers are the redneck type, and probably the same bunch that throws trash out their car window, and Semi is probably right about not confronting them unless she was ready to mix it up.(although you would probably have had some help from the sound of it)

Those are just bitter little people , with a nasty little habit, and an overinflated ego about their "rights".

Sorry to hear that. I'm a smoker but I always consider those around me. I would have stepped away from the crowd or simply not have smoked if I wanted to keep my place in line. I was raised to do this. I'm not so self centered that I think only of myself. 

Being in public though you almost have to expect things like this these days. We live in a me, me, me world. 

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving Semi. I had a great one. Just got back from Missouri where I spent the holiday with family there. Am glad to be home now though. 

it was inconsiderate of them,,, as a smoker i wish other smokers would show more consideration. could it be that smokers are becoming unwelcome everywhere while paying a major chunk of change in taxes?

Yea 1130 I believe you are right, smoking has become socially unacceptable.

I don't know about others, but I smoked for over 30 years, and quit , almost 20 years ago . However, since I quit , the smell of cigarette smoke is almost an instant headache for me, as is a lot of heavy perfume some women (mostly older women) tend to wear.

I have talked to some others who are ex smokers and they seem to be super sensitive to a lot of odors and especially cigarette smoke as well. (BTW, pipe smoke, or cigar smoke don't seem to be quite so bad to me)

Maybe that's why ex smokers are so own on people who smoke cigarettes in public.

 Please be advised that I am stating my opinion for myself and in no way do I expect you to follow what I would do.

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I knew that was your opinion but sometimes when we state how we feel, we can make someone feel like we think they're stupid for the way they do things. I'm not saying that was your intention, just that feelings can be hurt if we're not careful. (I could do well to heed my own advice)

Even if someone expected me to follow what they would do, they're barking up the wrong tree to try & make this chick do that. 

 I think the cheap perfume should be outlawed!

Sorry nobody has answered your question. Yes Florence has outlawed smoking in public places where minors are allowed. However I don't know of any cases that have been enforced. If I were in you place I am quite sure the smoker would have faced a charge for smoking while I would most likely be charged with assault or harassment. Personally though I think if someone was smoking in the manner you describe they should be charged with harassment!

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I think you're probably right. I never want to make a smoker feel uncomfortable or that they are any less a person than a non-smoker. All I asked is that they be considerate of where they smoke & where they blow their smoke.     

FTR, I don't smoke. In fact, I have virgin lungs; I've never smoked anything. I have been subjected to much second hand smoke, sometimes in areas where I couldn't just walk away.

Semi could have done three things. She could have walked away, she could have complained and let's the chips fall wherever, or she could have just stood there and "took it." Even if she did the latter, she could have faced the other way and fanned with something (probably).

When I go out anywhere in public, I realize that somewhere I will encounter smokers. It may not be in a restaurant any more, but it may be waiting for a light to change. Waiting two hours in line with one would be, yes, torture, but again it's a trade off. If anyone thinks the deal was worth it, then go for it. No one is holding a gun to our heads making us stand in the middle of cigarette smoke.

Heh. Oh, THOSE kinda people.

I used to carry around a paper bag for just those kinda folks who would be jerks at everyone else's expense.

Stand next to 'em and fire up a tightly rolled up paper bag and start puffing goodly on it. They get the idea pretty quick.

Inconsiderate smokers suck.

I do not think that I would keep doing something if it was slowly killing me. There's law that suppose to keep smokers from smoking in public areas. I cannot stand for someone to not respect the people  around them and throwing down the butt should be against the law. Most places have a smoke stand  with sand in it for them to put there cigarette before they come into a business. I have watch people and when they take a draw off the cigarette they cough. I believe that I would have ask them to blow there smoke elsewhere or move. They would probable be an argument, but there's a lot of non smokers that would have helped you out. lol   The smell lingers and when you finally get away from that smoker, you still smell like smoke. So right, this is a me, me, me, world. 

hey Road Puppy,  you are good.  Never would have thought of that.

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I hear ya. I wish I hadn't ever started smoking. It's not only a habit-it's also a chemical addiction. I hear tell tobacco can be as hard to kick as heroin. It changes the brain a bit over time.

I know I've tried to quit a few times and I turn into a royal SOB during withdrawal. It hurts me bad.

I had an opportunity to try Chantix once (I would need something like that to help), but my insurance at the time would only cover it as a mental problem therapy-(it's original use), and in my line of work, that's not a good thing on a work record. BCBS wouldn't cover smoking cessation therapy at the tme-Now it does as far as I know, but I no longer can afford insurance..

*sigh*

LAL, I don't think a public sidewalk is considered an area where smoking can be banned. After all, it was not constructed as a waiting area, but a traveling/walking area.

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It's not just cheap perfume. It is the heavy "oily" types that get to me. The alcohol type seem light and OK. In fact, some of my wife's favorites bother me.

More than once, I have just gotten up and left church because some woman came in and sat either in front or behind me and had on some strong, oily perfume.

Semi you should have been home instead of being out causing trouble.

It doesn't have to be cheap perfume. Even the most expensive perfume can be too much to take if they slather it on. And kate, semi should not have had to "walk away, complain OR take it". The smokers know by now that smoking in a crowd, without even asking the people around them if they mind, is as rude as it gets.

I think ALL perfumes should be banned in public. So many women don't know the perfume rule - that the only person who should be able to smell your perfume is the one who hugs you. Instead, so many women think they need to use half a bottle at once, and then people with asthma or migraines either gets sick or have to leave.

As for smoking, yes, I smoke. But I won't even smoke in my own home if I have company. I will step out onto the porch. I won't smoke in anyone else's house (unless they are smoking) and I won't smoke in anyone's car. If I am in the park, I will step away from other people to smoke.

Unfortunately, I realize a lot of smokers are militant, in your face idiots. I'm sure they are idiots about everything else too.

Kate C> FTR, I don't smoke. In fact, I have virgin lungs; I've never smoked anything. I have been subjected to much second hand smoke...

hg> i've never smoked anything either. My lung specialist says my chronic asthma comes from the 2nd hand smoke of my parents back in the 50's, before it was known to damage lungs. both my parents eventually died of smoke-related illnesses 

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Funny you should mention fanning because that's exactly what I did. I had a newspaper ad in my hand & when they lit up, I started fanning the smoke when it came our way. The man seemed embarrassed by it but the lady seemed to intentionally blow her smoke in the crowd even more.

I never said 2 hours in line was torture. Would I have stood there if I didn't think the deal was worth it?  Did I need your permission to "go for it" as you so rudely put it? Where did I say I was standing  in the middle of cigarette smoke?

Your attitude seems to be that you think I was stupid for enjoying Black Friday shopping. You don't like it, fine, but don't put me down or be sarcastic because I do. 

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Thank you, I thought I had read or heard something about smoking in public places being outlawed but didn't know if it was true. The police were out in full force that night. They drove by probably a dozen times & there's no way they could have missed it. There were children present so I guess they didin't care, or didn't know of the law.

It is suppose to be against the law to smoke within 20 ft all establishment entrances. Maybe you can ask the cops why its not enforced. They also need to stop men from spitting their dip right in front of a doorway, you get it on your shoes and then track it in the building.

From Best: And kate, semi should not have had to "walk away, complain OR take it". The smokers know by now that smoking in a crowd, without even asking the people around them if they mind, is as rude as it gets.

I don't see how she had a fourth choice since she said the woman didn't seem to care. It isn't just smoking, it's cursing or using vulgar expressions, it's reeking of alcohol, it's seeing the butt cracks of those in front of you in line. Much of this we can't avoid if we go to a public place. We can't control others.

I was a considerate smoker.

That was until the "smoke ****s" started downing my ass at every turn.

Public air is PUBLIC air.

You whinney anti smokers should focus your dumb a s s rage on something else.

Buncha' p*icks.

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The ONLY correct choice would have been for the smokers to be considerate of the people around them and realize they don't want or need to smell/inhale their foul fumes, and not smoked. No one should be forced to "fan, walk away, or just take it". 

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Ewww.........that is so nasty!  I don't know if they do or not but how a woman could or even want to kiss her boyfriend/husband that's had that nasty in their mouth is beyond me.

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Oh, Roland, how you have hurt my deliciate feelings. I have to go now, to shed my tears in private.

You bad, bad, man, you have broken my heart! 

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Nice attitude to have towards everyone else because in your mind someone insulted you. DA "rage"? So there are no smells or actions that are offensive to you? So now everyone, children, babies or even adults with medical problems should have to endure your smoke because someone else gave you a dirty look or spoke out against smoking? I think we all know who the ***** is.

 Bestworking, I have to agree with you on this!!!