What's your opinion about smoking?

well i do smoke... and i have been smoking for a long time...

I never started, but the smell does bother me.

I quit about 10 years ago I think it was & I cannot stand to be around it..not at all!

There are lots of smells that are offensive. There are exhaust fans. It is a personal choice situation to me. It is legal, just like the states taking the tobacco companies settlements, taking the tobacco tax, and keeping ALL for the budgets. The sincere smoker who suffers serious problems because of smoking, should be allowed to sue. I do not care what people say about a LEGAL choice. Like abortion. There is more crap over smoking than murder. Of course, dead babies do not burden the tax payer.

To complain and go on and on about caring and risks, and then take pay-offs, instead of the smoker getting a settlement, is extortion to me. Too bad there is not as much hull-a-bull-loo over drinking, also a killer. They do sue for that, in the third person, and a legal killer has set the mark. Smokers should be able to file for damages. And about odors, the poisons in our skies, from pollution do not smell, but they are also damaging. The thing about smoking, it gave power to people while other situations were going on. Everyone who does not smoke jumped on that. No one jumps on other problems, obesity, etc, also choice, that causes just as many health problems for those who who want to cry about insurance cost. Or the neglectful company that puts its employees in the situation of working with harmful chemicals, knowing if they pay enough city taxes, they will get away with it, when years down the road, the person who worked their will become ill. I see no justice in this smoking issue. ELLEN B

Oh man I deleted my post to fix an error before I copied it... that was dumb... anyway

My DH smokes but I don't. He is always trying to quit but it is his one weakness. If he smokes it must be outside, if he is going to commit suicide he does not need to murder me too! The smell bothers me a lot more since NY banned smoking in all work places. It didn't bother me too much before that.

I have never puffed on a single cigarette in my life. I don't mind other smokers if they aren't in my face. And I have even had girlfriends who smoked but I always let them know up front I do NOT buy cigarettes so if you're my girlfriend and you smoke, you have to buy your own.

I tell my sister she's committing her own special sort of suicide by continuing to smoke 1/2 to 1 pack a day.

The best cigarette quitter I ever saw was my dad. He pretty much smoked from World War II until his fiftieth birthday. The morning he turned fifty he smoked a single cigarette and never ever lit another one up and he lived to be 75.

Smoking has always been an enigma to me, even though I tried for about a month when I was younger. I can't really understand the appeal of something that is basically inviting you to die sooner. However, if someone wants to smoke, so be it, as long as they don't make me smell it.

Don't smoke, never have and I'm glad. I know it is difficult for people to stop though. Someone (don't know who) once said, "kissing someone who smokes, is like licking an ashtray".

Oh and good for you for quitting!!!!

Congratulations on quitting. Since I work in a Cancer Hospital, I see way too much and I don't smoke and I don't like the smell either. However, I believe that it is still a persons choice what they want to do with their bodies. There is enough evidence that it is bad for you, make the decision and take your chances, I guess.

I have smoked in my youth. But nothing big time. Just a litle here and there..more per pressure than anything.

I can not stand the smell of smoke. I think it stinks and gags me. I find it amazing I ever put up with it as a teen. probably cause I always smoked outside.

Smoke gets on the walls and its nasty stuff. I can only imagine what it does to someones lungs. My husband however does smoke 2 to 3 packs a day. I wish he would quit. There are times I can't stand to be around him because the smell of smoke is so heavy I just want to puke.

Kudos to you for nixing the habit. I have smoked since I was 16 and quit for about a year while I was in college.
I want to want to quit and yes I typed that right. Right now despite knowing the risks I don't want to quit enough to actually do it.

Same thing happened to me- one day the smell and taste just disgusted me and I quit. I gave my last pack to a friend and told him to blow the smoke the other way. Still disgusts me. I know some people who know how bad it smells but they don't care because they don't feel like trying to quit.
I guess I SORT of understand. Soda often disgusts me but I still drink it and even crave it sometimes.

Congratulations for quiting! I've tried several times, but no can do. I think it's a filthy habit, but I'm still doing it and will probably die with a cigarette in my hand.

Ellen, you made a good point that I hadn't even thought of. It irritates me that I can no longer have a cigarette after a meal in a restaurant without going outside. I was always careful to watch which way my smoke went and put the cigarette out if it was drifting over to another table. If the states and cities want to have no smoking policies, then they should also quit taking their share of the revenue.

I know it stinks, I can remember the smell on my parents from when I was a child. However, there are other things that stink as well. As much as I love perfume, I immediately choke up and get a migrane if someone is wafting strong scents my way. Bad breath stinks. Poor hygiene stinks.

It is a matter of personal choice. I've been outside smoking a cigarette and had a woman (on more than one occassion) delibertly walk in front of me just so she can wave off the smoke with her hand and give a derogatory comment too the general air around her as she does. If it smells that bad why walk right through it?

It's a personal choice at first, and a stupid one. However, after awhile it's the worst addiction there is, worse than cocaine, coffee, or any other drug. Some people just cannot break the addiction. I'm one of them. I've tried EVERYTHING.

I think smoking is extremely addictive so even if people know what they are doing to themselves and others it can be hard to quit. Then again, some people just don't care.

I quit once back in 1975 because I found out I was pregnant, my husband also quit. Slowly we went back to it. Then when we decided to have another child we quit again in 1978. I never went back to it but my husband did. He quit permanently when he realized our daughter was smoking at the age of 16. I just wish she would quit. However, the smell doesn't bother me when I am in a restaurant or bar, only the next day when I can smell it on my clothes and hair.

The only thing I am going to say on this topic is why do I see so many smokers throw their used butts out the windows of their cars? It drives me batty. Is this not considered littering?

Good for you. I was a smoker for about 3 years. One day I was walking to work, having my morning smoke and was like this is gross, and smelly, I do not enjoy this......Why am I smoking??? So I just threw my cigarette away. I know that 3 years isn't a very long time, but I just quit "cold turkey" as well, about 4 years ago now. The smell seriously stinks though!; doesn't it?? Today I was shopping and trying on clothes in the fitting room, and this woman was a few rooms away from mine, I could smell the cigarettes off of her. I was thinking to myself wow does this woman have a clue? And what about all the clothes she is trying on?

I do not like the smell of smoke, but there are many things I do not like that others do. I do applaud those that quit. But for the many who were addicted way before the knowledge was out about the risks, I do not think the public is fair. They have way more clinics, and real support groups for alchoholics and drug addicts than they do the ones they HAVE been able to stop. And that irritates me. Because smokers live in their own hell, normally do not vent retribution on someone for complaining about smoke, does not mean such efforts should also be placed on OTHER problems. Child molesters, drug suppliers, and the hungry or homeless in this country. Too bad they have not whipped these problems over the past several years, as much as they have altered the lives of those who allow smokers in their midst. I would NEVER as a Veteran to go outside and smoke. Ellen B

I used to smoke and, call me weird, but I actually like to smell it secondhand. However, I think it's rude and obnoxious when people smoke in front of doorways and such, because I know there are some people who can't stand to be around it. I don't understand people who are really militant about it though - like, going out of their way to make nasty comments if they catch a whiff of smoke or something. I mean, I don't like to be around someone wearing overpowering perfume, but I'm not going to be rude about it. Live and let live, I say. If you don't want to smell it, move up wind.

That doesn't sound weird Tina, think of those who like the smell of gasoline at the pump. This was a great article for chat, and sharing.. Ellen B

I am glad that you quit!

My lungs are so bad from inhaling my dad's second hand smoke as a kid, that I couldn't smoke even if I wanted to. Just being around a smoker's clothes make my allergies and asthma kick in.

I am not a freak about those that smoke, but I don't like it around me.

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I quit almost 2 years ago... I hate smoking and others that smoke just plain out stink.. it is as bad as BO..then they smoke around their kids make them smell.. to the point that even this morning a neighborhood child came visiting my daughter to meet her at the bus stop, they reeked and made me start coughing as it caused me to have a slight breathing problem not to mention that if a baby smells like that.. it does not make them very appealing let alone to snuggle with them.

I was an on again off again smoker but quit cold turkey over ten years ago. My parents, who are in their 70's have been smoking since they were teens. They have cut down and tried numerous times to quit. My mom has health problems due to smoking but the habit is so deep in her she can't give them up.
People have the right to chose their own poison but it is proven that second hand smoke also kills. It is not my choice to inhale second hand smoke nor do I want my grandsons in haling it. Here in MA there is no smoking in public buildings and restaurants. I am glad. Prior to the ban in restaurants I could not enjoy a meal without someones smoke drifting over from the smoking section.
Quitting is not easy but I am a firm believer that it must be done cold turkey. Habits can be broken by gradually cutting down but a true addiction needs to be eliminated entirely. As a non drinking alcoholic I obtained sobriety by completely eliminating alcohol. I would never have thought that I could continue consuming booze while attempting to become sober. Why do people believe addiction to cigarettes is any different.

"there’s nothing worse than a reformed smoker or Twinkie eater"

I don't smoke, never did and never will. But I think we've taken the whole anti-smoking crusade to a ridiculous extreme. In large part, I think this is due to the overly litigious nature of our society.

I'm sure glad I never started, because if I became addicted I'm sure I'd never be able to stop. Have trouble enough with my two addictions--sugar and sleep.

THANKS FOR SHARING, I am glad you quit smoking. I tried one cigarette, actually only a couple puffs. felt like the inside of my lungs were rippin out from the inside. My folks both smoked till the day they died. Didn't like the smell either. My mom had her breast removed back in the early 60's.

cool for sharing,, my hubby quit just 8 months ago for his grand daughter she has CF and all and can not be around it what so ever.. so he quit, and going strong,,

ive been smoking for 32yrs ever since the 6th grade.never quit once or even tried but if put my mind to it i think i could.

It's a stinky, unhealthy habit, but that is people's business if they want to smoke. Everyone that we know does not smoke around us because of our health issues.

I have been smoking for 13 years and, however unfortunately, I have no plans in the immediate future to quit. It seems it's all that keeps me sane these days. Before I started smoking, though, the smell never bothered me.

Admittedly, I realize it is the worst habit I have ever picked up and I encourage other to NOT smoke.

I think I'm a polite smoker. I try not to smoke around those who don't. Even in my own place, if I'm hanging out with non-smokers, I will go outside to smoke.

I smoked my last cigarette while on the way to the emergency room\m suffering from a heart attack on Decembefr 21, 2000.

My mother in law has emphysema from second hand smoke from working at a hospital where all the doctors and nurses smoked on duty and she never smoked a day in her life!

Smokers please tell me how your smoking does not hurt anyone but yourself now!

Disgusting noxious fumes.......

I have asthma and tobacco smoke is one of my triggers. So I have to stay away from it.

My opinion has more to do with behavior. It's not all smokers, but many smokers have very bad anti-social behavior that has resulted in the banning of smoking in many places ...

- blowing smoke at or near others
- littering with cigarette butts
- tossing light cigarette butts out car windows
- blocking building entrances with clouds of smoke
- smoking in posted non-smoking areas

Maybe if more smokers would act civilized, then more smokers will be treated with civility.

That's how I quit.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend!!

I think it is a disgusting habit and my friends who do it know to go outside of my home and if possible spray their clothes with febreeze before they come back in. IT MAKES PEOPLE STINK and it is gross. I also have asthma so my throat starts to close when I smell it and I feel like I cannot breathe. I hate people who tell me this is psychological as I actually lost consciousness and had to be put on a breathing machine once. I ALSO REALLY HATE HOW RUDE smokers are when there is a sign posted that says NO SMOKING PLEASE GO TO YOUR CAR and they lazily stand there right by the sign smoking anyways instead of walking the 10 extra feet to their freaking car they would rather try to kill people like me by choking us to death on their smell. NOT TO MENTION all the extra breaks they get away with at work for their "habit". I am addicted to books, can I take 5 minutes each hour to read a chapter? Thanks!

THAT is my OPINION and I will probably get hate for it but i don't care I am sick of smokers thinking they rule the world.