In the distant past, I used to be able to sit down at a bar where people would smoke, and not mind at all. Then came the smoking ban, which made me find it unpleasant, but not a big deal. Then came the lockdowns, and I got used to breathing super fresh air all the time. Now I start coughing if someone outdoors smokes 5m away from me and the wind blows it in my direction. Does this happen to anyone else or is it just me?
Yes same here. Somehow smokers have a habit of standing at the entrance of buildings…
I think it’s because they’re not allowed inside the buildings, so they just pop out to the bare minimum distance to smoke. In their defense, probably hard to get very far with all that tar in your lungs.
I smoked for a while. It’s not the distance, it’s the wind. Most entryways have wind blocks that make it more comfortable to stand there and also make it easier to light a cigarette.
While I completely understand that smoking is not a habit that passersby want to subject themselves to all the time, I do think some people are a little oversensitive about the sight of a smoker in a public outdoor place. The stuff that comes out of cars is equally if not more dangerous than second hand cigarette smoke in an outdoor area, but people tolerate it without complaint because they can acknowledge the universal utility of a car. Regardless of that utility though, it is still poisoning the earth and its inhabitants with every mile driven, and a cigarette is mostly only poisoning the smoker when used outdoors with reasonable distance from others.
If we decided 6 feet is good enough for COVID, then it seems like 10 is more than enough for a cigatette.
I know many will disagree with this—please be gentle.
Ah, the wind isn’t something I thought of. I grew up around 2 smokers (who still smoke decades later), and have always hated the smell, though I do appreciate when people tuck their cigs away when I walk by with my toddler. You bring up good points about the environment as well; I think it’s more of a personal annoyance being burdened with the smell. Similar to people who douse themselves in cologne XD
No, I’ve pretty much found it repulsive my entire life.
Fair enough. I guess it was so common when I was growing up that I never realised it.
I don’t know how old you are, but I grew up before the smoking ban. It was pretty common, and I had several relatives who smoked, but neither of my parents did. Smells bad and makes it hard to breathe, so I’ve always hated it.
Banning smoking in restaurant is one of the best change o have witnessed while growing up. Truly marvelous.
For real, it made me incredibly happy.
I was born in 85, my parents were smokers. Smoked in the house, smoked in the car, we sat in the smoking section in restaurants, it was awful and I hated it. My husband smoked for a long time, started when hr was like 16,17 and quit during the pandemic because we were planning on getting pregnant. It’s been great. No more annoying smoke breaks and best of all no more wretched cigarette smells
Ah, maybe the difference is that my parents smoked when I was very small. Eventually they both quit and now they both hate the smell. But yes, I also grew up before the smoking ban.
not really right after lockdowns. i started becoming sensitive to smokes a bit before that happened. there is a reason i don’t go outside during breaks at my university. place is lousy with smokes.
I turn off outside air when im driving behind someone who is smoking. Cant stand it and Vape is only slightly less bad.
Nope, always hated it. Being in Europe just makes it worse since everybody smokes here.
Not more then usually. However, since lockdowns, the stench on the street from the traffic, mopeds,… is terrible, as is the noise.
I’m even less inclined to be around people since then. After those 2 wonderfully quiet years I just prefer the room around me.
smoking was banned inside businesses in my area close to 20 years ago. just about everyone I know who used to smoke has quit or switched to vaping
I’ve seen some homeless folks smoke recently but that’s about it
Yep. It’s a known thing. You were adjusted to second hand smoke. Now you’re not. This is what people who aren’t around smokers enough smell and experience. Personally it started happening to me in the Army. I wasn’t a smoker at the time and out in the field it’s ridiculously obvious as a smell. So much so that by the time I left, the unit leaders had banned smoking in the field and told the smokers to dip or use patches. Not out of any health concern but because the smell carries so far it’s a risk to the unit.
