Are you a smoker?

[Sumac]

No.
Never was. Never will be.

[Prowler]

Btw, kinda off-topic, but is smoking banned in restaurants, cafés, malls, etc. in your countries/states? it's been banned here since about 2007 or 2008 and I love this law. I hated eating in a restaurant or café and having someone next table blowing smoke like a chimney all over the place.

[Davetello]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Btw, kinda off-topic, but is smoking banned in restaurants, cafés, malls, etc. in your countries/states? it's been banned here since about 2007 or 2008 and I love this law. I hated eating in a restaurant or café and having someone next table blowing smoke like a chimney all over the place.

Yes, it is here, thankfully. It's correct because while smokers are free to do what they want, why should the rest of us have to breathe it when we are paying money to eat or watch something in public spaces?

I just heard cars carrying kids may have smoking banned as well. That's a more tricky one as parents will argue that their kids are their responsibility and if they wish to smoke around them they should be allowed to.

[Mzx10484]

In Germany, smoking is banned in restaurants, bars etc ...

[MrPliggins]

I love the smoking ban here... I remember in the '90s, a night out at the clubs or bars meant you reeked of smoke when you got home. And heck, in the '80s, people smoked in malls, grocery stores, etc. Seems crazy now...

[Venom]

don't smoke personally, but I've been known to socially or when I'm under a lot of stress.

Originally Posted by Powder

Got very sick last year (food poisoning) & the vomiting made my lungs hurt so bad that I figured, "F**k it, if I can't smoke for a day or two, might as well just quit altogether!", & it worked.

I remember you getting food poisoning! That's awesome you've kicked the habit for a year now!

My ma smoked for 51 years without any health probs, but when she had her heart attack back in 2012 she basically did the same thing, went a week in the hospital without one and decided she went that long, she could do without for good.

[discordiatookie]

I've never smoked. Never seen the appeal. My Granda died of lung cancer when I was 10. My parents smoked in the house, in the car, everywhere. When you look at old photos, there's always ashtrays brimming. But everywhere seemed to be like that in the 80s! I've got asthma as a result of them smoking. Nowadays my mum goes outside her house to smoke and I'm always like, cheers ma, thanks for caring now I'm not a kid!


The smoking ban is amazing - I worked in a hotel at the time and if I was on a bar shift you'd end up stinking of smoke. I used to put up signs saying no smoking at bar area because it would get so bad my eyes would sting. When there was a wedding or function on I'd have to collect the glasses - and empty the ashtrays and it was gross. You'd get cig butts flowing at the bottom of pints and all sorts, burn marks on the table cloths, etc. now I can go on a night out and not worry about stinking of smoke afterwards!

I have been known to have a celebratory cigar from time to time mind you...

[ObiWanFan4life]

Never have, Never will. The side effects are bad enough, but the smell of them makes me nauseous.

[Kanon]

My parents both smoke a lot. I tried it but it´s super disgusting for me.
Not only the smoke, also to clean the ashtrays is horrible!

And vanilla cigarettes are the worst kind.
(seriously!! I did puke the last time I smelled this sweet nasty smoke)

[Warhorse]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Btw, kinda off-topic, but is smoking banned in restaurants, cafés, malls, etc. in your countries/states? it's been banned here since about 2007 or 2008 and I love this law. I hated eating in a restaurant or café and having someone next table blowing smoke like a chimney all over the place.

Yes. Go figure, I don't go to them anymore, but when I was younger going to the bars/dance clubs, it was once of the things I hated, the smoking. One of my favorite musicians back in the 80's was a non smoker, but died from lung cancer due to playing in venues that had the smoking in them. It's a shame.

Originally Posted by Davetello

Yes, it is here, thankfully. It's correct because while smokers are free to do what they want, why should the rest of us have to breathe it when we are paying money to eat or watch something in public spaces?

I just heard cars carrying kids may have smoking banned as well. That's a more tricky one as parents will argue that their kids are their responsibility and if they wish to smoke around them they should be allowed to.

Not so tricky, they could easily lable it under the child neglect or endangerment of a child laws. I've known some towns in Florida to outlaw pitbull dogs if children are living at the same household, due to the rise of children being mauled by the family pet.

[Netkeeper]

Originally Posted by Warhorse

I've known some towns in Florida to outlaw pitbull dogs if children are living at the same household, due to the rise of children being mauled by the family pet.

Oh my god. Oh my GOD that is such ********.

Do these people not know that pit bulls are friendly with children? I'd trust my nieces and nephews with a pit bull far sooner than I'd trust them with my OWN beagle! [Or a cat, for that matter.]

[Davetello]

Originally Posted by Warhorse

Yes. Go figure, I don't go to them anymore, but when I was younger going to the bars/dance clubs, it was once of the things I hated, the smoking. One of my favorite musicians back in the 80's was a non smoker, but died from lung cancer due to playing in venues that had the smoking in them. It's a shame.



Not so tricky, they could easily lable it under the child neglect or endangerment of a child laws. I've known some towns in Florida to outlaw pitbull dogs if children are living at the same household, due to the rise of children being mauled by the family pet.

Very good point. I guess it depends.

Originally Posted by Netkeeper

Oh my god. Oh my GOD that is such ********.

Do these people not know that pit bulls are friendly with children? I'd trust my nieces and nephews with a pit bull far sooner than I'd trust them with my OWN beagle! [Or a cat, for that matter.]

I disagree. Most dogs are wild animals, people forget that. Pitbulls especially can snap. There have been plenty of stories of pitbulls killing kids, and it wasn't always because they were poorly trained. Dogs like that should be allowed nowhere near young kids.

[ssjup81]

Originally Posted by Davetello

Very good point. I guess it depends.



I disagree. Most dogs are wild animals, people forget that. Pitbulls especially can snap. There have been plenty of stories of pitbulls killing kids, and it wasn't always because they were poorly trained. Dogs like that should be allowed nowhere near young kids.

My mother feels that way about animals and pets in general, especially around babies and toddlers. Even if no harm is meant, the child could unknowingly do something to spook said animal/pet and of course, that pet will attack out of instinct. Her points are valid, I feel, since toddlers can do things like this out of boredom or curiosity.

[Davetello]

Originally Posted by ssjup81

My mother feels that way about animals and pets in general, especially around babies and toddlers. Even if no harm is meant, the child could unknowingly do something to spook said animal/pet and of course, that pet will attack out of instinct. Her points are valid, I feel, since toddlers can do things like this out of boredom or curiosity.

Precisely. Childrens' safety is infinitely more important than dog lovers' defence of their precious animals

[ssjup81]

Originally Posted by Davetello

Precisely. Childrens' safety is infinitely more important than dog lovers' defence of their precious animals

I like cats and dogs. I had both at the same time at one point. I had two cats (first one died 2006 while I was at work and because I couldn't afford to get the lump under his neck checked and dealt with and his sister died back in 2011...during a hurricane which was super sad because there was a black out during it). I had my dog during that time (got her in 2009).

Whenever we had visitors over, we would tell the dog to go downstairs and she would go. We trained her to do that, but I would generally go down with her so that she wouldn't be lonely. We also trained the cats and the dog not to go into the kitchen as we kinda have that, "animals shouldn't be in the kitchen, as they shake and spread dander" thing going on. Same with anyplace where we dine, the pets weren't fully allowed.

So yeah, with the visitor thing, if they have small kids, either I would hold my dog (she's a Shihtzu btw) and let the kids pet her or we just let her stay downstairs (our living room is upstairs) away from them to prevent that from happening given that kids are so unpredictable.

Edit: This reminds me of something. My two cats (which I got shortly after they were born back in 1998 ). My younger cousin, who was about 12 or so at the time swung them around in a plastic bag. I yelled at her over that. I know, not a toddler, but just saying... Every time my aunt visited, and she brought her along, the cats would hiss at her. Even when older and more mature, same thing. They'd hiss and scratch at her.

So yeah, animals if mistreated (even if it's unintentional) will react...

[Davetello]

Originally Posted by ssjup81

I like cats and dogs. I had both at the same time at one point. I had two cats (first one died 2006 while I was at work and because I couldn't afford to get the lump under his neck checked and dealt with and his sister died back in 2011...during a hurricane which was super sad because there was a black out during it). I had my dog during that time (got her in 2009).

Whenever we had visitors over, we would tell the dog to go downstairs and she would go. We trained her to do that, but I would generally go down with her so that she wouldn't be lonely. We also trained the cats and the dog not to go into the kitchen as we kinda have that, "animals shouldn't be in the kitchen, as they shake and spread dander" thing going on. Same with anyplace where we dine, the pets weren't fully allowed.

So yeah, with the visitor thing, if they have small kids, either I would hold my dog (she's a Shihtzu btw) and let the kids pet her or we just let her stay downstairs (our living room is upstairs) away from them to prevent that from happening given that kids are so unpredictable.

Sorry to hear about their deaths

I don't have a problem with cats and dogs. I simply don't trust dogs, but much of that is because they're essentially domesticated wild animals. They are descended from wolves, after all.

[pennydreadful]

Used to smoke, but haven't for years. When I quit, I did it cold turkey and didn't have any problems - I base that on the fact that I'm fairly stubborn and when I actually really want to do something, I always accomplish it.

Managing to successfully stick to goals that I want but don't really really really want (like regular exercise and staying away from pizza), I don't have the same success rate with - because I never really want to exercise or stay away from pizza and chocolate!

[snake]

I never will. Trust me, I've seen enough pictures and articles about the side effects of smoking.

And to everyone who quit here, you guys are awesome. To have the strength to quit is really great.

[Davetello]

Originally Posted by pennydreadful

Used to smoke, but haven't for years. When I quit, I did it cold turkey and didn't have any problems - I base that on the fact that I'm fairly stubborn and when I actually really want to do something, I always accomplish it.

Managing to successfully stick to goals that I want but don't really really really want (like regular exercise and staying away from pizza), I don't have the same success rate with - because I never really want to exercise or stay away from pizza and chocolate!

Well done on quitting, Penny And I have just read what you sent - will reply soon.

[Wingnut]

Used to smoke like a chimney. Might smoke 3 in a month now, got way too expensive.

Restaurant/public bans are fine. When activist groups go all out to have smoking banned everywhere and you can't even light up in a dive bar, strip club or pool hall...I have a problem with it.

People that frequent those dens of ill repute like to smoke. Mindblowing, I know.