I have never been one for cigarettes and just the smell that seems to linger in the air even after and then envelopes itself in your clothes has always bugged me. When I moved to San Luis Obispo and found out that it was the first city in the world to ban smoking from all indoor areas, I was proud to be living in a city that was combating those big tobacco tyrants. However my best friend and roommate is a smoker and to be honest, it doesn’t bug me at all.
She smokes only outside and Febreezes everything because she hates the smell of tobacco. If it were not for the ash tray outside you would never know about her habit. However not till after interviewing several veteran and student smokers after the expansion of the ordinance did I realize how maybe non-smokers were actually the inconsiderate ones.
Just walk to class with her I have heard the exaggerated cough of passing students or seen the intent stares that look as if the person is telepathically trying to put the cigarette out. Feeling uncomfortable, I asked her feelings about it and she said, “Being from San Francisco I’ve heard worse.” Several smoking sources mentioned being called “baby killers” and “cancer addicts.” They also agreed with that they couldn’t stand the odor, are outraged at people who smoke in front of their children and cringe when they see butts causing litter.
While many agreed with the new ordinance feeling that it would protect kids from building tobacco addictions, all they wanted was their rights to be respected. We all know the side effects of smoking or even being near a smoker, but many smokers said was that it didn’t seem like residents knew that they know that warning label the best.
Definition of inconsiderate: “without due regard for the rights or feelings of others”
So tell me, what right do smokers have to walk down Via Carta trailing their smoke? And should the feelings of one person overwhelm the feelings of the possibly tens of people who trail behind them? I am very anti-cigarettes and the smell truly bothers me. Nothing is worse than walking to class right after it rains, enjoying the crisp air and then getting a few good whiffs of tobacco smoke.
Truly the inconsiderate ones are the smokers. Your roommate is so bothered by the smell she febreezes everything, but anyone downwind from her is forced to smell it?
“Nothing is worse than walking to class right after it rains, enjoying the crisp air and then getting a few good whiffs of tobacco smoke”
Nothing is worse? Really? What about all the emissions you smell and breathe in whle you walk around town here? What’s the difference? To say the smell of one thing is the “worse” is just plain stupid.
FTR, I don’t smoke
I think its pretty safe to say emissions aren’t nearly as heavy or concentrated as the tobacco smoke is. Also, I can ride my bike or walk across campus and avoid cars if I want to. And I would like to avoid second hand smoke if I could as well.
To try and compare the two is just plain stupid.
I am a smoker at Cal Poly, one of the few, one of the second class citizens here on campus. I have heard the coughs behind me and the glares of those who see me smoke. I go out of the way to smoke away from others to not bother them, but still I am looked at with disgust. It is my habit I do not force it on others and I work to not smell of tobacco when going into class. For something that everyone tolerates at a bar and no one makes a coughing sound at or rude gesture, non-smokers on campus are extremely intolerant and rude. If I am smoking by myself away from others do not come and sit near me and then give me death stares. You chose to sit there and smell the smoke. Just walk away, don’t be a dick about it.
Nice job walking in someone elses shoes in this article. As a smoker, I know that smoking is bad and second hand smoke can be annoying and harmful and yadadada. But people act out or judge the individual rather than the (as mentioned in the article) big tobacco corporations. This happens with many phenomena in the US, and allows individuals to take the blame for the ingenious marketing skills and addiction ensuring tactics of the tobacco industry. I understand fully that each person makes their own free will decisions, but rather than make someone on campus feel uncomfortable, why don’t you use your energy to hold these companies liable for the addiction they’ve bestowed on thousands of Americans.
Wouldnt we do that by not buying cigarettes?
As a non-smoker I dont support the tobacco companies by not buying their product. Or is that not what you meant?
I find it ironic that the majority of Cal Poly’s population thinks it is ok to go out every weekend and drink until they are practically unconscious, but the 2 second wiff of a cigarette completely disturbs them. People, you need to move to a country like France or China for a while and you’ll appreciate the discreteness of SLO’s smokers. GET OVER IT.
Not everyone drinks every weekend and not everyone thinks settling for better than what someone else has is always the end of the road. At least when people are out drinking I can avoid the vomit and noise if I want to.
i stop smoking after meditation
While Electronic cigarettes look, feel and taste much like traditional cigarettes, they function very differently. You see, electronic cigarettes do not actually burn any tobacco, but rather, when you inhale from an e-cigarette, you activate a “flow censor” which releases a water vapor containing nicotine, propylene glycol, and a scent that simulates the flavor of tobacco. All of which simply means that electronic cigarettes allow you to get your nicotine fix while avoiding all of the cancer causing agents found in traditional cigarettes such as tar, glue, hundreds of additives, and hydrocarbons.
Smokers have become an unsung minority in California today. Smoking is banned from public, indoor areas, as well it should be, because many are offended by the smell, and frightened of the risks second-hand smoke poses to their health. Still, smokers not only smoke outside and often in designated areas for the benefit of nonsmokers, but they have to endure condemnation from all sides. I’ve heard students and professors alike talking about how much they HATE smokers, and, being a smoker, this offends me. I have a right to make my own decisions and, as I already respect the right not to smoke of others, they should respect my right TO smoke.
No James, that isn’t what I meant. I understand you aren’t supporting the tobacco companies, but rather than directing your dislike at students on campus or people in general, I feel it would be a more productive use of that energy to hold tobacco industries accountable.
E-Cigarettes is the solution.