Response from A SMOKER. God Forbid.

I feel that I need to say something here on behalf of those of use who are considerate, kind and try very hard to never be near an open door, a child or anyone else while they are (God forbid I write this) smoking.

I read a blog today about people smoking by hospital doors, smoking near children and other disgusting things. In the blog "So Now What?" the writer was clearly not happy with the inconsiderate people who abuse the "system". I am not saying I disagree with the points raised in the blog for I am not. I disagree with the comments made on the blog and the general assumption that every smoker is a nasty piece of work with absolutely no consideration. This general assumption is just horrid and I am appalled to be labelled among these people just because I dare to raise a cancerous-tobacco-filled-nicotine-ridden cigarette to my mouth and inhale it's toxic decadence.

Let me clearly state right here and now I do not think smoking is cool, I do not think it is health or good. I definitely do not think people should smoke around children or entrance ways.
Smoking is a disgusting habit and I am fully aware and agree wholeheartedly. This does not mean I will quit just because you don't like it.

No, indeed I won't quit because it would be detrimental to my health at this point. You see, as I explained in my comment on "So Now What?", I have this little problem with anxiety. This little problem means I forget to breathe and a lack of breathing can cause all kind of issues, including death. The reason that nasty little cigarette is good for me is due simply to this: upon smoking it I inhale and exhale in a normal rhythm which, in turn, means my anxiety reduces and I continue to live without any nasty side effects, like dying from no oxygen.
Yes, for all those of you who also have anxiety and don't need to rely on a cancerous, highly addictive form to continue breathing, I am able to utilise the breathing techniques taught to me by my psychologist. There are definitely ways around the anxiety without relying on the cigarette. I choose to use the cigarette when I find that the 30 - 40 minutes of repeatedly attempting breathing techniques is not working.

Now, I'd like to clearly point to everyone that I do not and will not smoke around children, especially within an enclosed area (ie. car). Children should not be exposed to many things, least of which is something as harmful as cigarette smoke. If I am out and I see children sitting near to where I was planning to sit to smoke, I will keep walking to find somewhere that is not inhabited by children or other people. Indeed, if I can not find anywhere and I know my anxiety is getting worse, I will hide in the toilets, put the lid of the toilet seat down and I will sit there, rocking until I can calm myself down to some extent. If you ever see a lady almost run to the toilet and you hear the crash and bang of the lid being slammed shut you can almost bet that it's me hiding out in the toilet desperately trying to calm down.
I completely support the laws that state smoking in a confined space with children present is illegal. It should be. Only idiots would jeopardise their children's health like that.

I have been known walk in another direction to the one I needed because I notice the wind change and did not want anyone else to be downwind of myself and my smoke. I've picked up stray cigarette butts that others have dropped because I feel guilty that they would be so disgusting and inconsiderate in their smoking habits. I carry a little ashtray with me that I use to put my butts in when I am not home so I don't leave a mess or a trace of my nasty little secret.
Why must I be so ashamed when I am the one going out of my way to make sure no one has to breath in my recently exhaled smoke?

As some of you are aware I have recently been spending a fair amount of time in hospital. While the hospital itself is actually a no smoking area there are places (away from the entrances) that one may smoke. I myself have found there are lazy, rude bastards who decide they can not and will not make their way to those areas because they may have to walk those extra 20 steps. If you are well enough to get up to have a smoke you can damn well walk those extra few steps so you're not infecting anyone else with your horrid affliction.
I don't usually smoke when I am at hospital (this does not include psych wards), and if I do smoke I will walk further away than the prescribed area and I make sure no one else is around. No, not because I am shamefully hiding my habit, because I don't want anyone else to be subjected to the smell of the ridiculous thing.

Surely I can not be the only person in the world who takes these considerations? Surely there are good stories of smokers who respect other people and their health and do things to make sure others are not affected by their smoke?

Again, I feel I should repeat, smoking is a disgusting habit. It stains your fingers, makes you smell and has the potential to cause you great harm. I would advise anyone not to smoke if they do not do so already. Please, take that from someone who does smoke. It's horrid.

So here I am, hopefully shining a light on the whole situation and maybe more people will realise they live in a world filled with people, not just themselves and their kids, and maybe, just maybe everyone will have a little more consideration for each other? Ha! Who am I kidding!

By the way, to those of you who like to hate smokers and insist that smokers blow their smoke in your face and you walk past, do you ever notice the smokers who step back and let you pass, while they hold their breath? Do you ever notice the smokers who put out their smoke upon your arrival? Do you notice the smokers who DO NOT stand in the doorways causing you such agony? No, I didn't think you did.