Do you find it acceptable to criticize smokers?

Question

I seem to catch a lot of flak for smoking. I don't smoke in indoor public places, because I recognize that some people don't want to be breathing it in. Yet I still get a lot of dirty looks and sniping from non smokers. "Oh, you're killing yourself. All you have to do is quit. Oh, that's disgusting. Why do you even do that?" And this seems to be socially acceptable. Yes, I recognize the health risks I'm taking. But it's my choice, and I think that I should be able to smoke in peace as long as it's not around other people.

On a side note, why is it alright to criticize smokers for the health risks we take and not those of say... sedentary obese people? When will it be acceptable to tell these people to put down the fork and get moving? They put themselves at risk for heart attack, stroke, or diabetes, but it's widely considered bad etiquette to call them out for their lifestyle choices.

Answer 1

I always pity addicts and their justification systems

Answer 2

I'm a smoker and I put a reasonable effort into making sure not to bother nonsmokers with my habit.  I mean you wont see me outside a nursing home or a playground lighting up.

It depends on the circumstances, whether its acceptable or not to criticize smokers.  If somebody's obviously being unreasonable - smoking too close to an entrance (it's illegal here) or truly invading your space with your smoking (you can't reasonably escape it), then yea, you should call them out.  Don't be rude, just tell them if they could move somewhere else a little more appropriate.  But most of the times, when I get flak from people about smoking, it's random and very annoying.  One time some white hippie chick comes up to me while I'm smoking on a bench and tells me I should quit because I'm gonna die.  Uh really?  Smoking's bad for me?  Seriously though... I don't need somebody telling me what I can and cannot do.  Your not my doctor and your not even my friend, so **** off.  And who really does that, goes up to strangers and calls them out?  

Your right about obesity.  It's inappropriate to confront people, especially strangers, about their weight and judge their lifestyle.  Personally I think that just like smokers know what they're doing is harmful, obese people know they are risking their health as well.  I'm a skinny guy and I've even had strangers tell me to gain weight.  I'm sorry but that's ******* rude.  In general, people really need to keep their judgments about others to themselves.  "Walking through a cloud of smoke" is not a big deal, it ain't gonna kill you, and you will look stupid and anal if you confront people.  

Next time somebody judges you for what you're doing or what you look like, and you think it's uncalled for, call them out too.  Tell them to get a life and mind their own ******* business.

Answer 3

No I do not and while we are on it,why not drunks? Why not if you only had one drink?That is a choice also.And does far more damage in 5 minutes than any smoker could do in a lifetime.The difference is out of sight out of mind.Unless you happen to be standing next to one.Any given day of the week every fifth car you pass is driven by a drunk driver.Just think about that!

Answer 4

No.  It really gets my goat when I see an eye-roll or hear a comment when I am smoking in a designated area.  Designated areas are so few and far between these days that you'd think those holier-than-thou non-smokers would be able to avoid them.

Answer 5

As long as you smoke outdoors I agree, it's your health. You are old enough to know what the consequences of smoking can be same as I am sure obese people know there are a lot of health risks so I would tell neither one .. smokers only if they smoke in my presence and I have to inhale second hand smoke other than that I don't criticise them if they stand outside and smoke.

Answer 6

You know what I used to smoke for many years and quite last year. I now feel differently about it than I did when I smoked. I don't like the smell it stinks so bad, when I smoked I never realized it. I used to smoke then brush my teeth and spray on some perfume and think not bad covered that up little did I know how bad i actually stunk. But anyways I think to each there own, it doesn't bother me at all the only time I criticize a smoker is when we are at a school function or some sort of child's outing of some sort and smokers dint consider all the children/people around and puff away. BUT I would never say anything to them because it isn't really my place or my business. I dont really think anyone should say anything but there is always someone who has to say something it is inevitable. Its usually people who cant mind there own business and think that they are always right.

Answer 7

I would never think of verbalizing what I think of either smokers or grossly obese people. Obviously something is bothering them terribly not to stop behaviors that are killing them. I just say a pray for them that they may one day love themselves more than their addiction. Peace

Answer 8

Do you gather with other smokers outside the main entry of indoor public places? Perhaps that's why you are criticized. I hate to have to walk through a cloud of smoke to enter a mall or another building and I especially hate having to do so with my son. I'm sure you know how dangerous second hand smoke can be, yet walking through that cloud can be even more hazardous then being in a building with smokers since it's more concentrated.

That said, I might give you a dirty look, but I wouldn't criticize you. I might not even give you a dirty look since these days that's not too safe.

As for criticizing "sedentary obese people," when isn't it acceptable to tell them to put down their forks and get moving? When did it become unacceptable to shout nasty things at them or make jokes about them and their legitimate eating disorder? I sincerely doubt that you would tell an anorexic to knock it off and start eating, but when it comes to obesity, a disorder because no one overeats to the point of obesity without having problems, anything condescending and cruel still goes. It is far more criticized than smoking because smoking is still somewhat acceptable though fat people have never been.

Further, simply because others have problems that cause them to overeat to the point of obesity doesn't change the fact that you are killing yourself, and those around you who breathe in your smoke. Fat people aren't killing others as you do with your smoke.  Smoking is more a lifestyle choice than obesity though the reason you may be so defensive because you are as addicted to nicotine as fat people are to food.  

Answer 9

I don't find it acceptable for anyone to criticize others for any of their personal habits for any reason.  It's just not right.  It is banal to do so.  We are all responsible for the risks we take.  We have free choice after all.  

Answer 10

I don't smoke. Puff away dude it's your body.

Answer 11

Yes I used to but I stopped doing that. It was around the time when I started smoking.

Answer 12

I am not a smoker and neither is my family, but I have absolutely no problem with smokers. You said you don't smoke in indoor places and I appreciate that. Smoking indoor can get pretty bad for non-smokers and most places have banned it. (Atleast in Iowa, where I live) Smoking outdoors is completely fine by me. Like I said, I have no problem with smokers, it is their decision to smoke and it is none of my business. I'm sure you realize the risk and you don't need a bunch of people preeching and harassing you about it. And just some food for thought, the money earned from cigarette sales helps out economy.  

Answer 13

I agree. I dont think that its acceptable to criticize smokers. These criticizers get on their high horse and feel that its okay to judge someone for their own choices. I bet they dont criticize when people drink (damaging the liver) or eating fatty foods (self-destructive). You dont see many cigarette ads on TV, but fast food ads are EVERYWHERE. Its so easy for them to judge something they feel in socially unacceptable, but hey we all make our own choices. They need to mind their own business as keep on walking. Just like we are free to smoke, they are free to walk away.

Answer 14

You seem like a pretty polite smoker, and I think you deserve to be commended for that.  As long as you show consideration towards people who don't wish to breathe in the smoke, then people shouldn't say bad things about you.  If you're old enough to know the effects of smoking, then you can make the choice of whether or not to smoke.  

As for the comparison to obese people, I don't think you're representing that properly.  Overweight people do catch quite a bit of flack for their physical conditions.

Answer 15

As long as I can't smell it, they can puff away.