Now that we have smoking bans in force, I accept that smokers are being forced to find alternative places to spark up; dedicated smoking areas, venue doorways, etc.
But should we have more smoking etiquette ?
Being an ex-smoker myself; albeit back in my teenage days, I accept people have a choice, like I did, to smoke. I also accept that smoking is an addictive habit that takes over from the want to smoke to become a need to smoke. But what I get frustrated about are inconsiderate smokers who don’t seem to think of others whilst getting there regular fix of nicotine. The situations I’m talking about are smokers that, instead of using a dedicated smoking area, decide it’s OK to stand in doorways or entrances to walkways; where people need to pass to get to their destination, and have to endure the secondary smoke just to get to where they’re going. This is especially prevalent in such places as shopping centre’s and other family orientated places where this potentially damaging secondary smoke is exposed my kids, more importantly, MY kids!
I’m not saying that all smokers do this, I know a lot of smokers that think about where they are or who they’re with when lighting up. Some use the smoking areas, others who will walk behind non-smokers so as not to inflict secondary smoke of their friends and family.
I’m sure my opinions will ‘spark’ some kind of response, probably negatively toward me! But I think that if you want or need to smoke, that you need to do it with some responsibility and thought for those around you that.
Thanks for reading!
Kev