#021 Cigarettes

Cigarettes are disgusting. I suppose cigarettes in their "pack" are not disgusting, but once they’re lit they’re absolutely repulsive. They’re not healthy, most of them smell disgusting, and the simple act of smoking completely disgusts me and is a pollutant to our environment in several ways.

Several states now have smoking bans in restaurants and other public areas and I couldn’t be happier. I never imagined a time where I could go bowling or go to a bar and not leave smelling like smoke. Unfortunately, most of the smokers congregate just outside the entry door, so you have to pass through the cloud of smoke to get in or out, but it’s significantly better than what it used to be.

Although the act of smoking in and of itself is irresponsible, I would venture to say that more smokers themselves are irresponsible than they are responsible. I mean, there are few smokers (that I know/see) that actually use ashtrays when provided – they’re either too far away from where they’ve decided to stop for a smoke (and therefore too lazy to go put it out), or they rather enjoy flicking it across the parking lot or dropping it on the ground to put it out (IF they put it out). Those that DO use ashtrays – THANK YOU, and keep up the good work (but you should quit!).

I can’t stand it when I’m driving down the road and someone near me throws their cigarette out the window, only to seemingly explode into a small burst of embers as it bounces down the lane. When I first started driving, I saw this happen and I panicked and nearly swerved off the road because it scared me, and one time someone actually flicked it out their window and it hit my windshield. Most vehicles are provided with an ashtray, and if it isn’t already equipped with one, most companies sell them to fit a cup holder, or even after-market stores sell them.

It’s bad enough that you’re smoking, but don’t let ANY part of your smoking affect the lives of others.

The following are ways that I feel your smoking interferes with my life:
1. Buying cigarettes: I need food to live, you don’t need cigarettes to live. Don’t take up my precious time by holding up the line while the cashier fetches some smokes for you.
2. Smoking cigarettes: Besides being harmful to the environment (which EVERYONE shares), you’re stinking up the place and making yourself stink, too. I don’t want to smell you from five feet away. It gets on your clothes, skin, and hair, so unless you have none of those, don’t come near me.
3. Coughing: Typically cigarettes make you cough the longer you smoke. Don’t bring your smoker’s cough around me because I have enough noise pollution to deal with [I will never forget the time, while working at a grocery store, a woman had to plug her trach-tube to ask me for a carton of Pall Malls].
4. Your voice: I’m sorry if I can’t determine if you’re a man or woman simply by talking to you on the phone. If I can’t tell the difference, it’s because you smoke too much (and you should quit).
5. Death: I don’t really consider it sad if you die from the side effects of smoking. It is only unfortunate that you died that way because you should have known better than to continue smoking your whole life.

So do everyone a favor and quit, because let’s face it: most smokers don’t even really like to smoke, they only do it because they’re addicted.

I desire to live in a world where I know cigarettes exist but I don’t have to be bothered by them in any way, shape or form.