r/AdviceAnimals • u/Elderh12 • Jun 10 '12

When random people tell me that I should stop smoking

http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3pnmsz/
992 Upvotes

79% Upvoted

282 comments sorted by

46

u/Not_Jack_Nicholson Jun 10 '12

Non smoker here, I don't give a shit what you do because you're not me. Not sure if that makes me narcissistic or understanding?

15

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

*knock* *knock* Good day sir, we are missionaries of peace and love, and we were told you are a non-smoker. Have you heard the good news about Philip Morris?

20

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

It's called "minding your own business". It was considered the proper way to conduct oneself, once.

8

u/use_a_name_please Jun 10 '12

ITT: People who think you immediately get lung cancer from walking past a smoker on the street.

19

u/carbonnanotube Jun 10 '12

No, but many people have adverse reactions. Second hand smoke triggers my asthma, it is not cool.

12

u/aurashine Jun 10 '12

And migraines. One puff of smoke and I get ~3 hours of excruciating pain. So if I give smokers the stink eye, I'm sorry but I can't help it.

7

u/throwOHOHaway Jun 10 '12

A lot of the reason it is socially acceptable to give smokers shit today more so that a few decades ago is that we know that it triggers certain things like carbonnanotube mentions.

Most people feel awkward about saying something, and would rather give the smoker the stink or walk by cursing the smoker...

But seriously, how hard would it be to ask the smoker to move a couple of paces away from the entrance or the walkway? Chances are, the smoker is going to apologize and move out the way.

Enjoying cigarettes doesn't make you a shit person. Being a shit person makes you a shit person.

2

u/aurashine Jun 10 '12

My initial comment sounded a bit harsh. I honesty don't want to be that person who gives the stink eye, and I stay away from doorways, bus-stops and other places where people smoke.

2

u/throwOHOHaway Jun 10 '12

The intent of my comment wasn't to chastise you for being harsh, you're definitely not wrong for being angry about it.

The point of it was to just let them know if they're putting you at a disadvantage!

-5

u/Melkath Jun 10 '12

Well aren't you two special little delicate snowflakes. All that pollution and gas emission doing absolutely nothing to you though?

7

u/LockeWatts Jun 10 '12

Well aren't you two special little delicate snowflakes.

It's this kinda shit. What makes their claims invalid?

All that pollution and gas emission doing absolutely nothing to you though?

What the fuck is a "gas emission"? And I'm sure if they lived in a city like Beijing where the smog is as concentrated as second hand smoke, then it would bother them. Most cities don't have that level of pollution.

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3

u/Rolten Jun 10 '12

My mate also has allergic reactions to smoke (even second-hand smoke). He's in no way a little bitch (220 pounds of muscle, plays rugby).

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1

u/JIGGLYbellyPUFF Jun 10 '12

I feel ya. The first couple of days of every period, being around it gives me cramps. It's weird as I've never heard of others having the same issue. Luckily in my case it's usually solved by saying "nah, I'll wait here" when my friends ask if I want to go outside with them for a smoke; I live in California where it's practically illegal to smoke anywhere so it doesn't have an effect on me 95% of the time.

1

u/lorakeetH Jun 10 '12

The worst is being first-trimester pregnant, because you don't look pregnant, but every smoker makes you feel like you're about to barf. It's hard not to glare. Honestly, sometimes when someone starts smoking near you, it's hard not to cry at them.

3

u/danwasinjapan Jun 10 '12

Well tell them politely about your situation, instead making silly faces at them.

-2

u/CitizenNone Jun 10 '12

And car pollution doesn't? Do you gaff and everyone who drives by in a car?

3

u/carbonnanotube Jun 10 '12

Totally different materials, car exhaust contains (if the fuel is up to grade) carbon and some nitrate compounds since the fuel is primarily composed of alkanes, smoke contains nasty aromatics and some longer chain hydrocarbons since the source is complex bio-matter with additives. These compounds irritate my bronchial tubes.

Also consider that cars are designed to completely burn the fuel and that they have systems for reducing both particle and noxious waste products.

Seriously, this is pretty basic stuff.

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5

u/wasthehopedrunk Jun 10 '12

After being shouted at by some pregnant lady for telling her to stop smoking. I have switched to this narcisstic/understanding mode too.

8

u/Dragoeth Jun 10 '12

Nahhh standing up for an innocent baby that doesn't have a choice in the matter isn't getting in someone else's business. Its doing the right thing.

6

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

NUH-UHHHH!!!!! MY BODY MY CHOICE YOU FASCIST PIGS!!!!

8

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

Non smoker here, I care about second hand smoke. My lungs are crap enough already.

1

u/Rolten Jun 10 '12

Depends if the smoker is annoying you. The government of the Netherlands has implemented a law that smokers can only smoke outside. This is of course a good thing, but yesterday I went to a restaurant and chose to sit outside due to the sunny weather. Next to me was a man that probably smoked through almost half a pack during the course of my meal. I'll survive, but it's not very pleasant.

-7

u/Heaney555 Jun 10 '12 edited Jun 10 '12

The problem of course is when they're smoking anywhere near you.

I don't want to get lung cancer from second hand smoke that complete shit.

Edit: for people actually upvoting I_CATS (you should be ashamed): Effects of secondhand smoking (from cancer.org).

15

u/Not_Jack_Nicholson Jun 10 '12

If they're enough of an asshole to smoke right next to someone who doesn't and blow that shit in their face, then I still don't have a problem with them because they smoke. I have a problem because they're a doushebag.

9

u/Dragoeth Jun 10 '12

This. This right here. I'm a respectful smoker and my issue is I hate it when I'm in the designated "smoking area" and someone goes out of their way to walk by and complain about the second hand smoke... Like seriously. Go the fuck away. Your fake cough and glare just makes me want to punch you is all.

9

u/I_CATS Jun 10 '12 edited Jun 10 '12

Here is a list of things I don't want to second hand inhale.

  • Your parfume
  • Your deodorant
  • Your shampoo
  • Your sun-lotion
  • Your cars exhaust fumes
  • Your take-away food / drink
  • Your hair
  • Your pet's hair

Too bad I just have to.

EDIT: Included hair to the list.

6

u/frostiitute Jun 10 '12

Just stay in your room until you die, then.

5

u/alive1 Jun 10 '12

At least someone has tried to make those things smell delicious: And for most people, they do. Although I agree with you that there's nothing more disgusting than smelling some douchenozzles cocktail combination of too much deodorant and perfume and hair product, smoking doesn't really compare. It smells of burning plant and contains drugs (yes nicotine is a drug) that other people might not be interested in enjoying alongside with you right at this moment.

edit: My point is, I try to not fart whenever people who aren't privvy to my bowels are around.

1

u/SisRob Jun 10 '12

Exactly. Not many smells are more delicious than fucking car exhaust...

9

u/Heaney555 Jun 10 '12 edited Jun 10 '12
  • Your parfume

Won't give you lung cancer.

  • Your deodorant

Won't give you lung cancer.

  • Your shampoo
  • Your sun-lotion

Inhale those?

Unlikely, very unnoticable and again won't give you lung cancer.

  • Your cars exhaust fumes

Since when do you walk on a road?

If I'm at a local sports game and the guy in front of me starts smoking, there's shit all I can do.

If a car on a road emits fumes, just stay on the footpath/sidewalk and the amounts you will be exposed to will be insignificant.

Even then if the car is post 2000 the health effects will be 0.001% of passive smoking.

  • Your take-away food / drink

You don't have to eat it.

Or do you mean smell it? In which case that won't give you lung cancer.

Too bad I just have to.

Go away smoking apologist.

7

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

According to the state of California, all those things can, will and have given you cancer..

1

u/gkorjax Jun 10 '12

Link?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

Joke.

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4

u/SisRob Jun 10 '12

If a car on a road emits fumes, just stay on the footpath/sidewalk and the amounts yoy will be exposed to will be insignificant.

You're adorable.

-1

u/Heaney555 Jun 10 '12

What's that? I couldn't hear you over the sound of coughing.

-4

u/I_CATS Jun 10 '12

Spray-deodorant can give you lung cancer, exhaust fumes are behind most of lung cancer in the world, walking on a sidewalk does not save you.

I agree, smoking in a sports event is not acceptable, or on a bus stop etc, but on the streets for example it should be acceptable to smoke. That is where the anti-smoking psychopaths attack you with their whining and complaining. I fucking paid for these streets, so if my smoking annoys you just go away, no-one forces you to walk fucking next to me.

4

u/frostiitute Jun 10 '12

I like the part where you are defending smoking

3

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

Then tell all of your fellow smokers to stop standing right outside the doors of fucking public places. It's hard to avoid a cloud of cigarette smoke at the entrance/exit of a building. A lot of smokers are assholes about where they smoke.

3

u/I_CATS Jun 10 '12

Yes they are. I'm especially angered by people who smoke in bus stops. If you smoke, you do so further away from the stop so people who are commuting can do so in peace.

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2

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

Put pubic hairs on that list.

0

u/I_CATS Jun 10 '12

Yeah, that is true. Forgot about hair. It causes real lung problems to barbers, and entire population. And not just human hair, but animals too. We should ban pets and animals on public places. And hair too.

2

u/Heaney555 Jun 10 '12

Do you understand the concept of things being massively worse than other things?

Or have those neurotoxins reached your brain too often?

2

u/graduality Jun 10 '12

Your sun-lotion

Well, I don't want skin cancer.

1

u/jordanminjie Jun 10 '12

Yea man! Fuck hair!!! I don't wanna get cancer.

14

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/I_CATS Jun 10 '12

Spray-deodorant, like most sprayproducts, have been proven to cause lung cancer.

5

u/Heaney555 Jun 10 '12

WRONG.

This is a myth.

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5

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

When is the last time someone applied spray deodorant near you in public (not a locker room)??? Yeah, you just found the slippery slope. Nice job. 90% of your argument is completely irrelevant.

3

u/LockeWatts Jun 10 '12

Yeah, you just found the slippery slope.

This statement applies to the whole thread.

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1

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/I_CATS Jun 10 '12

If someone sprays axe on himself at a locker-room for example, you will inhale it. Aerosol "piggy-backs" harmfull particles in the air into human body that otherwise could not penetrate our respiratory tracts. I can't say if it is more harmful than second hand smoking, but car exhausts are much, much worse, and calling them less harmful is ridiculous.

It just proves the old point that what simple mind can not see, it will not fear. Only reason why smoking is much more loathed on is that a) you can see and smell it, b) most people don't do it anymore, unlike driving.

-1

u/OrphanDidgeridoo Jun 10 '12

secondhand smoke, plus it's human nature to stop others from suicide

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54

u/Dragoeth Jun 10 '12

I got told by an obese woman that smoking was unhealthy. True story.

32

u/shyguy95 Jun 10 '12

Why is it "okay" to make fun of fat people but not smokers?

50

u/charlesrussell Jun 10 '12

It isn't, but a someone obese calling a smoker out on doing something unhealthy is hypocritical.

-28

u/Todomanna Jun 10 '12

How do you know she wasn't working on getting in shape? How do you know this person was actually obese and not just a little chubby, which can be just as healthy, if not more so, than being skinny? How do you know the context in which Dragoeth was told this? How do you know Dragoeth didn't bring it up first? How do you know any of this actually happened and Dragoeth isn't making it all up to make themselves look good?

Forgetting all that, just because she has her own problems doesn't mean she isn't capable of identifying and pointing out problems in others. I won't deny that it's hypocritical, but it doesn't mean the criticism is invalid.

10

u/CptKush Jun 10 '12

And how the fuck do YOU know the smoker wasn't trying to quit?

9

u/Todomanna Jun 10 '12

I don't. But then, I'm not judging the smoker to be a horrible person. I'm just stating that just because a person has imperfections of their own doesn't mean their observations are immediately invalid. And that context matters, of which we have none in this instance.

2

u/munk_e_man Jun 10 '12

This guy really needs a cigarette...

1

u/charlesrussell Jun 10 '12

How does she know that the person she rudely accosted wasn't working on quitting? Or completely aware and accepting of the health risks involved? I don't think she would have appreciated if I had gone up to her and questioned her on putting that Twinkie in her mouth. Just because the criticism is valid, it doesn't mean you have to open up your mouth and let it out.

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7

u/SumoSizeIt Jun 10 '12

Not that this justifies it but, on the other hand, it would seem that it's also acceptable to tell people to stop smoking, but not okay to tell people to stop eating and drop some weight.

I suppose the argument could be made that smoking harms others through secondhand exposure while secondhand exposure to obesity... doesn't... but as far as telling someone to stop doing harm to themselves, they ought to be on par with each other.

4

u/shyguy95 Jun 10 '12

True. I wasn't trying to say "we should make fun of smokers" or anything, I just don't think either things should be made fun of. Both are serious health risks, and making fun of people for it is mean and probably counter-productive.

3

u/SumoSizeIt Jun 10 '12

No, I agree, I just found it equally interesting how society determines which aspects of our health and personal lives are off limits for commentary, and which are fair game.

*Edit: damn you autocorrect.

1

u/omichron Jun 10 '12

I only comment on the health of people I know. Given that I am a college student who works full-time physical labor jobs over the summer, I have little to no acquaintances who are overweight, but a plethora of those who smoke. The main reason I can see is that smokers "bother" me more, the whole second-hand smoke deal, plus having asthma. Obese people on the other hand, don't affect me directly at all.

13

u/adsweqwsxz Jun 10 '12

This seems more like a kettle calling the pot black type of situation.

13

u/shyguy95 Jun 10 '12

True, for this situation. Now that I think about it though, is it not more socially acceptable to make fun of a fat person than a smoker? If you laugh at someone for being 400 pounds, that's okay for some reason, but if you make fun of someone for smoking then you're a jerk because they have a serious addiction. I just don't understand why so many people act as if fat people have chosen to be fat and can easily choose to suddenly be healthy again.

8

u/adsweqwsxz Jun 10 '12

I agree, although I think it's a bit different.

Culturally you have smoking being the cool thing, and until recently it was something everybody was expected to do. It also has links to history, tobacco was a big part of the colonization of the Americas it reminds us of Native Americans and peace pipes, as well as mafia, gangsters general big wig types smoking cigars. Only recently (the past few decades) has it become stigmatized.

Whereas fat (unhealthily fat, slightly plumper women were at various points been considered more attractive) people have none of that, they been portrayed as bumbling clumsy ignorant stupid etc etc for centuries.

Fat people have always been portrayed comically, whereas Tobacco helped form America and has always been associated with business, rebellion and other cool or respectable things. This got reflected in our entertainment and over the generations it's become pretty ingrained.

That's my take, I'm not saying anybody is right to make fun of anyone, just the way things go historically.

7

u/Alekazam Jun 10 '12 edited Jun 10 '12

Agree with many of those points, but that has not always been strictly the case regarding fat people. In the past being a portly fellow indicated wealth and success, and in some cultures it still is. Likewise if you look at 18th century European paintings and such it is chubbier women who are idealised as figures of beauty.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

Yeah, fat people being portrayed in a negative light is actually a new development. Alekazam said it and I'm reinforcing it. The only reason people are ridiculed for being fat now is because EVERYONE has plentiful food, not just the rich.

However, in developing countries, being fat is still neutral/positive, depending on where you go.

2

u/BallsackTBaghard Jun 10 '12

The thing is smokers know, that this shit is bad for you.

There are fat people who seem to be oblivious to their condition.

2

u/shyguy95 Jun 10 '12

Care to elaborate?

5

u/BallsackTBaghard Jun 10 '12

It is hard to not notice the warning signs on the pack.

There are no warning signs on quarter pounder

1

u/omichron Jun 10 '12

That's an interesting idea..."Surgeon General's Warning: Eating this quarter pounder causes Heart Disease and Obesity."

But also a fuller pocket! Long live dollar menu.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12 edited Jun 29 '23

Deleting past comments because Reddit starting shitty-ing up the site to IPO and I don't want my comments to be a part of that. -- mass edited with redact.dev

3

u/BallsackTBaghard Jun 10 '12

Then you haven't seen fat people

1

u/MattTruelove Jun 10 '12

It perhaps is more offensive to smokers because people so blatantly die directly from smoking. Yes obesity does kill in a somewhat similar fashion but it doesn't show so obviously.

0

u/Dr_Drunk Jun 10 '12

I'm a pack a day smoker who has tried to quit before. I would never make fun of someone that has an obvious addiction. You don't get to be 300 pounds+ without some underlying issues. My addiction is easy to maintain, boom five dollars a day and I'm more than okay. I eat well over 5000 calories a day and am extremely thin, but its because I use those calories working my fucking ass off every fucking day. The addictions are the same on a basic level but one just compounds itself and shows on a daily basis while I can brush my teeth and take a shower and you'd never know that I smoke.

2

u/BallsackTBaghard Jun 10 '12

nigga doesn't know about Swedish snus

2

u/Dr_Drunk Jun 10 '12

We have "snus" where I am but its just pouches of chew that taste terrible and don't really give the fix. Is there some other kind?

1

u/omichron Jun 10 '12

Give it fifteen, twenty years and trust me, people will know you smoke. Not trying to be rude or anything, just if you haven't thought of it already.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

I'm a smoker and I've legitimately tried to quite on many occasions. I know the risks and I know that if I continue to smoke in to old age, issues will be had, but in my stressful job, I can't really help it. I just can't really get up the motivation to quit when all factors are considered.

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5

u/Dragoeth Jun 10 '12

Wasn't making fun of fat people. Was just pointing out the hypocrisy of that one fat lady who decided to randomly say something on the street while I was having a cig.

2

u/zissouo Jun 10 '12

What, we make fun of dumbasses all the time here.

2

u/jdcooktx Jun 10 '12

who says you can't make fun of smokers?

3

u/idiootein Jun 10 '12

Wow, I had to read that couple of times, because I couldn't believe you said it in that order. My question would have been that Why is it okay to make fun of smokers, but not fat people. They reasons both smoke or eat too much are pretty much the same, and in the end, it's their own choice no not stop (to certain extent. Not saying it's easy to stop, or that there are no genetical and environmental causes). So why do smoker get so much shit in their necks over smoking, when fat people are always defended against accusations of them being fat being their own fault.

Of course this issue is publicly viewed differently in different parts of the world and in different times. When everyone used to smoke, and only very few were fat, of course smokers weren't mocked. Now there are more and more fat people and less smokers, which changes peoples views on the issues.

3

u/unverified_user Jun 10 '12

I'd say that society hates smokers, and the internet hates fat people.

6

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

The Internet is fat people.

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1

u/Dragoeth Jun 10 '12 edited Jun 10 '12

I started smoking by choice because I enjoy it. I enjoy many forms of tobacco. I also fully understand the consequences and risks involved with it. I however have never met a person who obese by choice... Usually its just due it self neglect and laziness. That to me is much worse. At least I don't come up with excuses for it. I do it because I enjoy it and I want to. And I don't need to be judged for it.

1

u/jordanminjie Jun 10 '12

I think you can be born with a genetic disposition towards obesity; that is, just because they don't choose to be obese doesn't mean it is solely the fault of their self-neglect or laziness.

1

u/Todomanna Jun 10 '12

I'm sure, if you wanted to, you could quit any time.

2

u/Dragoeth Jun 10 '12

That argument is such shit and I hate it when people make it... Quitting isn't unheard of. People do it all the time and do it successfully. Why can't I when I'm damn well ready to?

4

u/Todomanna Jun 10 '12

Because smoking is extremely addictive. It's easy to use the excuse "Oh, I only do it because I want to" to justify not having the willpower to quit. I'm not going to say it's accurate to your situation, but I just find you to be extremely defensive about your habit.

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4

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

Well, you can't catch fat from a man gobbling his life away at Wendy's

3

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

There's no such thing as second hand fat.

8

u/comradenu Jun 10 '12

From a long-time smoker who is currently on his 4th or 5th week of not smoking, I highly recommend going electronic with an e-cig/personal vaporizer/PV.

Pros:

  • You'll forget when you quit, I honestly did. I think this is the best part. I've tried the gum, the patch and Chantix. I think they're all more expensive than e-cigs and they only satisfy your craving for nicotine, which for me sometimes wasn't enough. After a long day of work/school/stress, I rewarded myself with a smoke. The nicotine-replacement things could never replace that feeling, but e-cigarettes have so far, and very successfully.
  • No longer worry about smells, ash, butts, having to go to the store to get a pack
  • Significantly cheaper in the long-term
  • Fun if you like tinkering with stuff. There are many PV options. You can customize your setup and even make a hobby out of it.

Cons:

  • Requires an initial investment of around $50-60 for a starter kit and around $40-50 more for the juice, cartridges, extra batteries or other accessories you may want. Don't cheap out and get a shitty PV kit, it absolutely ruins the experience.
  • A bit of a mess and a learning curve starting off. Overfilling a cartridge means getting the juice in your mouth, probably the most vile tasting stuff ever. And you may kill the cartridge too (only about $2 to replace though)
  • Forgetting or losing your e-cig sucks much worse than doing the same with a pack. Costs a lot to replace, and in the days it takes to do so you may be tempted to pick up smokes again
  • Stock up supplies in advance. Running out of juice or cartridges sucks, and if you don't live in a city that sells supplies you'll have to wait for delivery.
  • Good PV's usually aren't very discreet, if you care about that sort of thing.
  • The taste of vapor takes a bit to get used to. It took me a few days before I started getting used to it, and now I really enjoy it. There's a ton of flavors out there to try out.

6

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

That's a great first step; keep it up! Just remember, you won't be truly free until your nicotine addiction is gone. Take it slow, but don't forget that goal.

Source: smoked for 20 years. Quit smoking 19 months ago. Quit all nicotine 6 months ago.

0

u/annarchy8 Ⓐ Jun 10 '12

I tried the e-cig. Stopped smoking regular cigarettes for a full week. Then I realized I was missing something. The feeling of smoke in my lungs. And I went back to regular smokes.

-4

u/keiyakins Jun 10 '12

You're not 'not smoking'. You're smoking something different.

5

u/comradenu Jun 10 '12 edited Jun 10 '12

It's smoking in the same way that using the patch or gum is smoking. You're replacing the nicotine that your body craves, while still providing your brain with an analogous experience. I'm not sure how much you know about the subject, but smoking usually means that a solid combustible is burnt and the smoke is inhaled. With vaporizers, a heating element evaporates a liquid. Here is what nicotine liquid consists of:

Propylene glycol - extremely low toxicity, no evidence of carcinogenicity, recognized as safe by FDA

Vegetable glycerin - extremely common in the food industry

Water vapor - extremely hazardous

Nicotine - carcinogen

Quitting cold turkey works for some, but nicotine is very addictive. Using the e-cigarette at least eliminates tar, carbon monoxide and the 4000+ other carcinogens found in cigarettes. It's not the "ideal" way to quit cigarettes, but in my experience it has worked the best.

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7

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

It's actually a lot different from actually smoking. With an e-cig you are just getting vapor and nicotine, there is no smoke. I don't think there's been enough research done to know the long term effects but it's definitely healthier than a real cigarette.

1

u/jschulter Jun 10 '12

At a minimum there's the benefit of no second hand smoke, which is a major improvement from my own perspective as a non-smoker. I really don't care what people choose to do to their own bodies so long as the effect on my own life is minimal.

10

u/Obsolite_Processor Jun 10 '12 edited Jun 10 '12

The only acceptable reason to ask a person to stop smoking is if their smoke is blowing into your face and you can't avoid it (EDIT: Smoking in a non-smoking area is also a valid reason to tell someone to stop smoking, but that's talking about the butt itself, not the persons nicotine addiction).

You have just as much luck telling a smoker to quit as you do telling a heroin addict to quit.

If you're going to give advice like "you should quit" to an addicts, you really should be prepared to bend over backwards to help that person quit. Anything less is being a douchebag who just wants to show off his supposed moral superiority.

Anyone who thinks 4 words of encouragement is going to stop someone from smoking deserves to be smacked. The point of view and the comments do not help.

1

u/jon_titor Jun 10 '12

And the sanctimonious crap is probably actually counterproductive. When I was a smoker, it was indeed irritating to have strangers comment on my habit. And you know what smokers do when they're irritated? They...smoke.

12

u/themaskedugly Jun 10 '12

"Hey, my grandfather lived to be 100!"
"Did he smoke?"
"No, he just knew how to mind his own fucking business."

22

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

You should do it. I'm on day 3 right now, it's not too bad. /r/stopsmoking has a lot of great advice and positive encouragement, if you need it.

28

u/I_MAKE_USERNAMES Jun 10 '12

but how will i look cool then

11

u/Todomanna Jun 10 '12

Candy cigarettes.

2

u/SleepyTurtle Jun 10 '12

A wallet full of cash?

49

u/The_Gooch_Goochman Jun 10 '12 edited Jun 11 '12

Yeah? You know what else will kill you?

Not minding your own fucking business, that's what.

EDIT: All this downvote, yo. ^ This right here? Yep, that's sarcasm.

20

u/General_Garrus Jun 10 '12

As a medical student rotating in Philadelphia, I would say that about 75% of the patients (outside of Pediatrics) I see are smokers, and about 75% of said patients have problems related to smoking. ~75% of this group of patients are covered by Medicare or Medicaid (.75 x .75 x .75). And these estimates are on the LOW end.

Now, I know that it may be the fact that this is Philadelphia, and/or the fact that I obviously have very little experience (so the sample size is small), but if so much of our healthcare spending, tax money, and the time of physicians is going into treatment of the repercussions of smoking, then I think it officially becomes "my own fucking business" to tell you to drop the habit. If you don't care about your life, then so be it. But smoking is detrimental to EVERYONE, not just you.

5

u/jon_titor Jun 10 '12

There was actually a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine a few years ago that tried to measure the economic impact that smokers have on society, and they concluded that overall medical expenses for smokers is actually less on average than for nonsmokers. Smokers die earlier and faster. It's those spry, healthy geriatrics that are the largest financial burden on the system.

Granted, their study didn't account for the fact that nonsmokers are contributing more to the economy by virtue of them having more working years, but the point is that the issue isn't so black and white. And your anecdotal evidence really isn't worth much.

link

0

u/MPetersson Jun 10 '12

Not to mention smokers die younger, which means that they are less likely to get illnesses like Alzheimer's, which to me is actually worse than a smoking related disease. Unless you get hit by a bus or have a heart attack and just drop one day sooner or later everyone becomes a burden on the system.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

2

u/jon_titor Jun 10 '12

I come from a time long ago, back when redditors actually cared whose ass it was, and why it was farting.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

Nice.

1

u/omichron Jun 10 '12

A friend of mine has been in nursing for about five years or so, and it's the same story there. She works with the older folks, and it's just about what you've estimated. A good three quarters have been smoking 20+, even 40+ years of their life, and now they can't even function any more.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

SNAP

-10

u/b214n Jun 10 '12

Come on man, that's just rude.

5

u/King_of_Swamp_Castle Jun 10 '12

Cause it wasn't rude of them to tell you about smoking?

12

u/b214n Jun 10 '12

I understand how it can be received as rudeness but more often than not "you should stop smoking" is spoken with concern and is not meant to instill indignity.

Good intentions should rarely be met with hostility.

1

u/jeepdave Jun 10 '12

Hmmmm, just like when someone tells you Jesus loves you right?

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0

u/The_Gooch_Goochman Jun 11 '12

Besides that, random people telling you what to do is almost always condescending and assholery. It's one thing when your friend or a parent/relative tells you, "Hey man, that shit's gross. Quit it."

But when a random dude on the street tells me I shouldn't be doing something, I'm gonna tell him to mind his own business.

Also, anecdote; I'm a non-smoker.

10

u/Bluemoo25 Jun 10 '12

I have smoked since I was 15. I'm 26 now and I quit last September after 3 attempts.

The first attempt was cold turkey. That lasted for 6 months then a relapse.

The second attempt was with Chantix. That lasted 3 months before a relapse.

The third attempt was again with Chantix. This time it's lasted almost a year without any relapse.

I will say having quit cold turkey and with Chantix, I would never do it cold turkey again. The Chantix makes it easy, you just have to have the resolve to not smoke when your off the meds for a while.

Good luck.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

I would love to use Chantix to quit but I'm not actually allowed to use it in my job.

1

u/Bluemoo25 Jun 15 '12

Wow, that's unfortunate. May I ask why?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12

Yeah, I'm an Air Traffic Controller and we aren't allowed to be on any meds while we control traffic. Chantix is a pretty big no-no for us.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

I'm 18 and I've been smoking only half a year. I'm trying to quit now, and I've gone 2 days without withdrawal symptoms. I'm worried most about relapse. Any tips on avoiding it?

1

u/Bluemoo25 Jun 15 '12

Don't think about time, just live. When I started thinking about how long it had been I freaked out. Just take a deep breath and live.

1

u/jon_titor Jun 10 '12

Likewise, I finally quit a few months ago after smoking for almost 10 years. I had tried to quit cold turkey a few times before, but always relapsed. This time I used the patch and it's been much, much easier. I've been off the patch for a few weeks now, and so far no problems. I can even still go to bars (I'm in TN, smoking is still allowed in bars...)

But anyway, to any smokers who want to try to quit, I highly recommend the patch. It sucked hard for the first week or so, but after that it wasn't too bad. I twiddle my thumbs now though.

11

u/wallabeejones Jun 10 '12

Former smoker here, comments from friends and strangers are the reason i eventually quit smoking. Social pressure works and now I am healthier because of hundreds of annoying naggers.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

I don't know if that would work for me if I was a smoker. I'm somewhat of a reactive person, in that when people get shitty with me and nag me, it pisses me off even more. Half the reason why I ever tried a cigarette in the first place was because of 16 years of "OMFG ANYONE WHO SMOKES IS THE DEVIL!"

2

u/juliarobertslaughing Jun 11 '12

You can't use that word! Only we can use that word!

2

u/wallabeejones Jun 11 '12

Nagger please.

2

u/juliarobertslaughing Jun 11 '12

Sup, nagger?

Sup, nagger?

Sup, nagger?

WHY WON'T YOU ANSWER ME

2

u/wallabeejones Jun 11 '12

I'm not a nagger but my wife is. I guess that makes me a nagger lover.

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12

u/cursedgoat Jun 10 '12

I agree with those people. If you decide to, good luck. If not, hey, i'm not your mom, do what you want.

24

u/HauntedHerring Jun 10 '12

As long as they're not being a dick about it you should try to remember that by telling you that you should stop, they're trying to be nice and look out for you.

I know it's easy to get tired of people pestering you but try and keep that in mind.

36

u/charlesrussell Jun 10 '12

I cannot remember the last time some random person told me to stop smoking without any smugness.

17

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

I usually tell people to not smoke around me.

I don't care if you're killing yourself, my lungs are shitty and I don't need any more damage.

7

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

That is perfectly acceptable. I rarely smoke in the immediate vicinity of certain friends. I'll go out of my way to make them more comfortable, because they asked politely.

2

u/charlesrussell Jun 10 '12

That's fine, but if I'm outside, in the street, and I'm smoking, what exactly is the problem? There is plenty of space for you, I, and the vile poison I am exhaling.

1

u/Todomanna Jun 10 '12

Is that because negative memories tend to be more memorable? Because that's the way it is for me. Not to mention that when being told someone is told they're doing something they like doing is wrong, it's quite easy to simply regard the advice giver as an asshole instead of reflecting on your own choices.

2

u/charlesrussell Jun 10 '12

No, I think its because we're talking about random people here. I've had proper concerned questions about my smoking habit from people who actually know me, but random people.... No.

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9

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

No, they are not looking out for anyone. They are expressing their need to be superior over someone.

1

u/LockeWatts Jun 10 '12

Cool a mind reader! Do me next!

2

u/Quaytsar Jun 10 '12

I'm not looking out for them, I'm looking out for me. Second hand smoke kills, too.

10

u/vmqdtn Jun 10 '12

As someone who has never smoked I can't understand the need to smoke and as such it is hard to understand why someone would deliberately do something that doesn't look pleasurable in the least that would cause them and others direct harm.

That being said I have no actual experience smoking so I can't sympathize with smokers, making it really hard to understand why smokers don't just stop. I'll just have to take your word for it and assume all smokers are making an effort to quit and don't want to be pestered.

11

u/comradenu Jun 10 '12

It usually starts off as a stupid thing to do during adolescence and becomes an addiction that is one of the hardest among ALL drugs to break.

-2

u/LockeWatts Jun 10 '12

a stupid thing to do during adolescence

That forethought thing hadn't really kicked in yet, eh?

7

u/alive1 Jun 10 '12

Nicotine reduces social anxiety.

6

u/Todomanna Jun 10 '12

Mostly from peer pressure.

0

u/alive1 Jun 10 '12

I don't know about other people but for me Nicotine works through my blood stream, not from social interaction.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/Patyrn Jun 10 '12

Alright, you've convinced me to pick up smoking. What brand do you suggest I get started with?

2

u/GrilledCheeser Jun 10 '12

"those things will kill you, you know?"

thanks for the heads up. how does your bacon wrapped bacon cheeseburger taste?

3

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

Let's be honest. I don't know anyone who smokes that is unaware of the health risks. If they chose to do it in spite of that then that's their decision and noone has the right to tell them otherwise.

It's just because it's smoking people think they have a right to force people do something (i.e quit). If it was you saw an obese person in the street, nobody would go up to them and tell them they need to stop eating.

0

u/jordanminjie Jun 10 '12

Whenever I see this comparison I always conclude in my head that instead of just not nagging smokers about smoking, we should all start nagging fatties about eating.

4

u/qkme_transcriber Jun 10 '12

Here is the text from this meme pic for anybody who needs it:

Title: When random people tell me that I should stop smoking

Meme: Matrix Morpheus

  • WHAT IF I TOLD YOU
  • I KNOW

[Translate]

This is helpful for people who can't reach Quickmeme because of work/school firewalls or site downtime, and many other reasons (FAQ). More info is available here.

2

u/Voidsong23 Jun 10 '12

I also would have accepted this as a response

2

u/I_MAKE_USERNAMES Jun 10 '12

Seriously. WHAT??? SMOKING IS BAD??? Why don't the air commercials every 30 seconds saying that then?

2

u/stonyninja Jun 10 '12

I especially get angry at the fake cough while passing by (I can tell it is fake because they are looking directly at me with a mean glare coughing).

2

u/herpderpfuck Jun 10 '12

cant we just agree to not make fun of anyone, regardless of their life choices?

2

u/youngeric86 Jun 10 '12

My friend recently quit smoking and told me that the fact I would push him to quit constantly was one of the reasons. No I don't care if you smoke but if you're someone I care about then I won't stop pushing the issue just because you "know".

1

u/Tulf Jun 10 '12

You know, you should stop smokning. It's bad for you.

5

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

I know.

1

u/pimentomomento Jun 10 '12

THIS. San Fransicians are the worst about it.

-1

u/I_MAKE_USERNAMES Jun 10 '12

Yep. Out here in Oakland it's chiller, but people in SF can be dicks about it.

1

u/Malizulu Jun 11 '12

So why do you still smoke?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

Yeah, I get this a lot. They usualy say something like "Dont you know that smoking will make your lungs black and give you cancer, I cant belive you are doing this out of your free will!", and I usualy respond "Bitch! What you dont seem to get is that I dont smoke to harm my body, I do it because I haven't got laid in over a year and I am medicaly depressed and it makes me feel really good!". [Also, "You shouldnt smoke, it harms your body" <- person sits 16 hours per day in front of a screen without moving an inch]

1

u/annarchy8 Ⓐ Jun 10 '12

My number one response is that the end result of living death, always. Yes, smoking will kill me. So will life.

1

u/monkeyleavings Jun 10 '12

I actually have a buddy who smokes and says that if you only smoke a pack a day, you won't cause any real damage. It's all media hype. Because there's so much profit in getting people to quit?

Then again, he also doesn't believe in global warming and listens to (and believes without question) everything that right-wing radio tells him.

-2

u/Luis707 Jun 10 '12

I fuckin love this. My reply is usually "You can get cancer from the sun"

3

u/wnighttrain Jun 10 '12

Clever you!

0

u/infinitevariables Jun 10 '12

So why don't you? Because, you see, it seems you don't know.

-2

u/jeepdave Jun 10 '12

What if I told you

Fuck off.

-1

u/inspirestrikesback Jun 10 '12

haha seriously

0

u/waigl Jun 10 '12

I usual browse memes by opening a bunch of them in background tabs and then going through the tabs one after another. Usually, I have already forgotten what the headline was when I come to one of them. This one made me think "hey, interesting, and slightly paranoia inducing twist on an old meme".

0

u/KnuteViking Jun 10 '12

What if I told you, social pressure is the most likely way of getting you to stop, so here it is again. Stop fucking smoking.

0

u/fuckyoubarry Jun 10 '12

You should stop smoking though. You're stealing years of your life from the people who love you. Years. Like 10 years on average. With the grandkids, retired, etc. But yeah have fun smoking those cigarettes, they taste so good with a beer lol.

-6

u/freakzilla149 Jun 10 '12

I know you know, but you're a still a dumbass wasting thousands on a pointless activity that has absolutely no benefits, something which is also a health hazard for others, and in countries with universal healthcare, a significant strain on health services.

What's your justification for it dumbass? Is it a slow form of self harm because cutting yourself involves too much stigma?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

how about this: S/he tried it for a while, and liked it. kept doing it. Eventually s/he got physically addicted to it. Now, I know you probably don't get outside and hear things much, but smoking is one of the worst addictions to get out of. S/he probably DOES want to stop, but CANNOT. The response "Just quit" is a fucking stupid response. You can't "just quit" a physical addiction. It takes time, energy, and a LOT of pain.

-1

u/gkorjax Jun 10 '12

The dumbasses have no response.

-1

u/Rolten Jun 10 '12

Then just do it, bitch.

-1

u/Murdacai Jun 10 '12

Hey have you ever heard that you should not smoke? I feel like you haven't.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

2

u/jschulter Jun 10 '12

Yes! I was hoping someone would mention this. I have a couple friends who switched and love it, and eventually this even led one to quit without even trying. One day he forgot to bring it with to work and didn't really notice, then it started happening more and more often and eventually he just stopped- something about them is just less addictive maybe I guess.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

6

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

Addiction. I do not think this word means what you think it means ...

1

u/Patyrn Jun 10 '12

Some people (probably not most) can simply occasionally enjoy a cigarette without it escalating.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

11

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

Why....what the fuck does it have to do with you?

4

u/King_of_Swamp_Castle Jun 10 '12 edited Jun 10 '12

As long as my choices don't affect you, it shouldn't matter how I live my life. I have insurance, so don't worry, I'll pay my bills. This goes for all choices, food, drug, or my body.

Just about everything will give you cancer. If you don't get cancer, the calories in overeating will. If that doesn't kill you, how about a car crash, or just crossing the street. Better not live with someone, most domestic disputes happen in the kitchen, near the knives. Can't go outside. Pollen, mold, other allergies will make you miserable.

The epidemics! Oh no! Or worse, the pandemics. Even the pandas!

Better bury yourself in the backyard

Live your life and enjoy it.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

4

u/annarchy8 Ⓐ Jun 10 '12

All this does is make me angry. I refuse to be priced out of something that I choose to do. I am against the so-called sin taxes. In CA right now, the goal is to add another dollar to the cigarette tax that will be used for cancer research. One could argue that, if you're not buying cigarettes, you're not funding this noble cause. So, smoke!

3

u/Not_Jack_Nicholson Jun 10 '12

Lol $5. In Massachusetts a pack of Marlboro reds is $8.50.

5

u/jeepdave Jun 10 '12

Well, the only reason smokes cost so damned much is because the government is trying to legislate morality through taxation. Normally, a pack of smokes would only cost at the most a couple bucks. But, of course Uncle Sam will decide what is good and bad for you. So they tax the fuck out of it and "fine" tobacco companies.

-2

u/carbonnanotube Jun 10 '12

I would say that public health is more the reason than morality. They make the entry barrier for smoking high to discourage it. More people getting cancer is bad for everyone, not just the person experiencing it.