I was not always a smoker, Canon. Foolishly I did not take it up until I was in my late 20's. It was a momentary lapse in judgement that I am stuck with for now.
Back when I was a non smoker, if I did not like the smoke in a place, I did not go there. That simple.

Yes, we will have to agree to disagree.... and I do hope to report back to you when I have given up the smokes completely! Wish me luck!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ZOO,

I can opt not to drink, even at a location that serves alcohol. I can opt for healthy menu items even when there are choices which are not so healthy. But if I'm at a restaurant eating and someone comes in and starts smoking next to me, we share the air.

It's an inconvenience for the smoker to go outside, I understand that. But lung cancer or emphysema is also an inconvenience for people subjected to long term or repeated second hand smoke. I'll say it again, *your* smoke is *your* burden. And if it is fine in your mind that non-smokers can simply not go to smoking locations, then it must also make sense that smokers can simply go outside.

If you decide to smoke, you should also be courteous enough to know the dangers of your habit and not subject others to the hazards you have chosen to subject yourself to. This is *your* responsibility.

If I decide to get drunk, others should not bear the burden. That's why we come down so hard on drunk drivers. Under your logic, maybe people just shouldn't drive if they don't want to get hit by a drunk driver?

Like I said, the hazards of smoking aren't limited to the person holding the cigarette. Anyone who enters a business which allows smoking is subjected to it... everyone from inspectors to delivery personnel to non-smoking employees or patrons.

So a smoker has to step outside... I've been there many times. If the choice is either me go outside for 2 minutes or subject someone else to carcinogens, it's really not that tough of a decision.

Why should the person *not smoking* be the one to make all the sacrifices?

The triple crown is coming up in March... good time to throw away that pack and start training.

Well, if a person smokes,that is their business . But ,they also can keep the smoke and all the polluntants to themselves also. I gave up the habit almost 21 years ago and I have no desire to have smoke in my lungs again. Go outside if you smoke,harm yourself,not me. I dont mean any disrepect to any here who do smoke.

quote:

Originally posted by ZOO:
I do hope to report back to you when I have given up the smokes completely! Wish me luck!

I really don't have urges anymore. None. A change in lifestyle helps, I can't imagine lighting one up before or after a workout. I think the single biggest motivator has been to become a part of the active lifestyle crowd. Don't go it alone, make friends.. workout somewhere in a group (or class), participate in the organized races (even if you can't run the whole way, most accommodate walkers too), or even regularly scheduled exercise events with friends. For me, a martial arts class fits the bill as well as doing the races (5k-13miler).

U can do it, just need to convince yourself it's time. Every time I went to the doctor for a checkup, I'd breathe a sigh of relief when my chest xrays were clear. Do I wait to quit when there is a problem? I've tempted fate long enough, and the time to enjoy whatever time I have left isn't later on when I have less of it. At least that's my thinking...

Good luck zoo.

quote:

Originally posted by Angel:
Well, if a person smokes,that is their business . But ,they also can keep the smoke and all the polluntants to themselves also. I gave up the habit almost 21 years ago and I have no desire to have smoke in my lungs again. Go outside if you smoke,harm yourself,not me. I dont mean any disrepect to any here who do smoke.

Amen to that, sister!