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Anti-smoking rap overblown

Austin Richardson
Vail CO, Colorado

Secondhand smoke outside? Are you kidding me?

Smoking outside exposes non-smokers to such a negligible amount of carbon monoxide it’s utterly unbelievable that someone has a gripe. It’s the smell that trips their triggers. It’s dirty. Just like people who smoke. Dirty, smelly, unhealthy, probably indigent, certainly dysfunctional (because they are addicted) but twice as likely to stop and help someone on the road because they have enough self-confidence to lend a helping hand.

From personal observations, people who smoke tend to be more friendly, personable and willing to help someone in need. I realize that is a broad generalization, but those are my own experiences.



I’ve also observed that people who don’t smoke don’t tip as much (if they tip at all), they are less likely to be sympathetic to anything or anyone and are generally judgmental. And because they’ve exercised an immense amount self-control by not smoking or associating with anyone who smokes, that makes them inherently better than those who smoke. Now none of this is ever actually vocalized, but the eyes never lie.

“Holier than thou” non-smokers have been picked on at one point in their lives and likely have self-esteem issues that are “transferred” onto others. Oh yeah, denial’s a part of that cycle as well.

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Ah yes, the motivations of the complaints. I would argue that the folks who complain the loudest are looking for an excuse to exclude someone. People who smoke are now easy targets; self-righteous people will always pick on those they perceive as being weaker.

And since it’s “for your own good” that means they can be as nasty as they want to be explaining to you that your bad habits will eventually kill you.

Incidentally, we’re all going to die. Get used to that fact. Dying short of breath or slowly dying of old age, it’s not much different.

Hopefully, the shroud of death comes to each of us in our sleep.

The most vehement anti-smokers are former smokers. These detractors start every admonishment with, “yeah, I used to be a smoker …”

Avon may go with the smoking ban that was adopted by the state. Fine. What’s 10 feet between “friends?” And it’s baffling to me that anyone would have the nerve to ban smoking outside. Get real.

When did the indignant and self-righteous become society’s conscience?

I suppose a mere waft of smoke from a cigarette makes some people think they are ill.

But the fumes on the slopes from a snowmobile are more tolerable because?

Web Editor Austin Richardson can be reached at 748-2911 or arichardson@vaildaily.com.


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