I just got back from a concert, wheezing, sneezing, and short of breath. I will jump on my soapbox and tell you that I HATE smoking and secondhand smoke! Smoking is probably my biggest pet peeve, because it effects me so negatively - I get bad allergies from it, and when I’m around it for more than a few hours, I inevitably get sick. I have no comprehension why it is still legal to smoke in public, or inside establishments. I know it’s my own fault for going to the concert, and it’s my own fault for subjecting myself to being around smokers, but it’s impossible to stay away completely. And I know I don’t make matters better by living in Las Vegas, where it’s legal to smoke in casinos (which is where most of the concerts, movies, and restaurants are located). This is also the city that has banned smoking from restaurants, yet people still smoke in them since there is no enforcement of the law. I like sitting outside at Starbucks on nice days, but get bombarded with people smoking all around me. It’s great that places like New York City and San Francisco have banned smoking from bars, but it’s not great when you’re forced to walk through 50 smokers on the sidewalk outside of the bar.
Hawaii has the right idea - it’s now illegal to smoke in any public place, or within 20 feet of any doorway. Call me a bitch, but I snicker when I see people huddled in the middle of a parking lot smoking, and when someone dares to break the rules there, people glare at them. Ha. I don’t care if people smoke - as long as it’s done away from me (well actually I am sure it effects my health insurance premiums negatively, but that’s another story)! Why do smokers get all the rights, and I have to suffer? Why is something that is proven to cause cancer to not only the smoker, but to people that breathe in the secondhand smoke, allowed?
I know smokers reading this hate me now. I’ve never been a smoker, so I have never had the daunting task of trying to quit. I do feel bad for people that started smoking before it was widely known that it’s bad for you, and now are having trouble quitting. I don’t think most smokers understand how horrible smoking is to other people, though, so I just want to put that out there. I know I am hypersensitive to it, but I resent people that smoke around me, and when I see you with a cigarette, I avoid you like the plague. I know I have absolutely no rights, and that is why the whole topic infuriates me.
Secondhand smoke and your skin
Since this is a skin care blog, let’s talk about skin! We all know that smoking is horrendous for your skin, and it sucks the life right out of it (no pun intended). On this season’s America’s Next Top Model, Tyra Banks banned all of the models from smoking to try to set an example for the show’s young followers. A lot of models smoke to try to keep their weight down, but how many models still have careers ten years later (except for a select few)? We all also know that tanning is bad for you and your skin, but aside from my health insurance premiums paying for people’s skin cancer treatments, other people tanning has no effect on me. Call me self-centered, but I feel people should be able to make their own life decisions, as long as they aren’t hurting me.
Unfortunately, secondhand smoke is also really bad for your skin. I’m sure the occasional puff of smoke I inhale outside at Starbucks (before I get up and flee) is no big deal, but if you work in a smoking environment, or live with a smoker, it’s really going to negatively impact your skin by accelerating wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and sagging. Secondhand smoke can also cause hair loss. I’m sure most people have though about this before taking jobs as bartenders or cocktail waitresses, but I’m just making you aware of added pitfalls of secondhand smoke.
Don't miss out...get Savvy Skin posts via email!
Get
Savvy Skin posts via email!
October 31st, 2007 at 2:43 am
I’m a smoker, I have smoked since I was 13, it was the worst decision of my life, the girl that introduced smoking to me was a girl I had known since we were 3 years old. I know it was my own decision to smoke, but I feel she had a massive impact on my life, when I was 16 I told myself I would quit, she and I were best friends at the time and I was trying to avoid her so I could actually give it up, but as some stage of my attempt of giving up I would have to see her, and when I did I took it up again, she said “one a week won’t hurt” I gave up for four days and I have never tried since, mainly because she also told me that I wouldn’t do it, but thats another dilemma, I totally agree with what you’re saying I would love to be able to say “sorry I don’t smoke” or “it’s been … since I’ve had a cigarette”. I live in Austraia and we have had smoking laws since July 30 2006, I find it good because the pubs here are much cleaner, the restaurants are nicer to go to and concerts are better too.
As a smoker I make an attempt to avoid non smokers if I need one, some of my friends smoke, some don’t, the ones that don’t smoke, I rarely smoke around them because they also hate it like you do, and I have no right blowing it in their faces, they made the right choice and never took it up, I think smoking has become alot more difficult these days, but I appreciate the message that is being spread across the world about the dangers of it, I feel like when I was a child they never really made a big enough effort to let people know how harmful it really is to you and others around you.
And as for mothers that smoke around their children I find that disgusting, children have no choice that way and I strongly look down on mothers and fathers that let their children see them doing it, children are fast learners and a parent is supposed to be a mentor, and if a child see’s their parents smoke all the time, like it was a common thing, well… there should be a law against people who are considering to have children and are smokers, especially the mother because she will be the one carrying the child.
I have thought about quitting alot lately, mainly because I have just got engaged and I can’t bare the thought of smoking in my wedding dress. I also told my fiance’ that I won’t walk down the isle, with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth, he is also a smoker and we have agreed we will quit together in the new year.
October 31st, 2007 at 6:06 am
I heard of a lady who is affected by someone smoking in a car in front of her in the drive through. Another has a problem with ashes in her eyes. Another has a problem on a college campus because someone is smoking in the breezy outdoors.
These people are bald faced liars,.They like the ego trip of kicking smokers around because the government doesn’t allow it with anybody else. To allow this type of person to have the upper hand is barbaric.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Hi Fiona,
Thanks for sharing your story, and I’m glad you aren’t offended by my rant! I guess I am lucky that I have such and adverse reaction to cigarettes, or I probably would have tried smoking when I was younger also.
October 31st, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Honey, there is one issue here and it is between your ears. You are not allergic, do not get ill from second hand smoke indoors or out. You have been brainwashed into thinking it is harmful by people who are crusaders agianst what they think is an evil tobacco industry. Want good skin and health? Be happy and learn what to ignore and what really matters. A young person like you should not be whining about nonsense like some great aunt pinch-face.
October 31st, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Well I invite you to come out with me tonight, as I see a concert in a smoke-filled casino. I will be weezing and sneezing like crazy. Maybe I am allergic to casinos, and not smoking. I sneeze and weeze everytime I am around smoking. I guess I am also allergic to smokers. I guess my allergy doctors have all been wrong as well. Anything is possible.
November 1st, 2007 at 5:39 am
Jeni:
I’ve known former smokers who say they’re allergic to smoke. They’re obvious liars.
If it’s true that you sneeze when you’re around smoke, you do indeed have a problem. The question is, do thousands of smokers have to quit to accommodate you? Who the hell are you, the Queen Mum?
November 1st, 2007 at 5:38 pm
I see you’re getting attacked by defensive smokers, mostly. I was walking down the street behind a woman who was smoking yesterday and it was gross! When I got back to my office my hair smelled like smoke and I had a tickle in my throat. If a car spewed fumes like that it would be pulled over immediately. It’s a gross, nasty, ELECTIVE habit and smokers have absolutely no right to impose it on the rest of us.
January 10th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Hi all, I’m a non smoker & will hopefully make U all think.
I’m not only a non smoker though tried when a teen and got dizzy and very sick. Then I tried just holding the smoke in my mouth. It was terrible.
I felt I had the flue or something.
While most every1 I knew back then, they all smoke. And today I’m very vigilent & even at times militant to smokers & especially second hand smoke.
I am so sensitive to smoke I can sense some1 smoking across the street. Or I search for a lit butt that some ignorant smoker tossed on the ground.
The only reason smoking is legal is to prevent prohibition. Just like alcohol.
both are additive but I do enjoy the odd beer(stout).
Beer is actually healthy in moderation. just ONE cigarette smoked is FAR WORSE than breathing the air on a very bad smog day. Yes, did my research big time.
If they ban smoking or sell it, most smokers will do anything to smuggle it. U read it daily in the news. It’s a blasted addiction that to me is being addicted to “sh………”
I’m fit and in my 50s. I do things most 20 or 30s do. I cycle, race, run, martial arts etc…..
Lungs & everything inside a smokers’ body gets the toxics from smoking. smoking speeds aging badly, fatigue, face wrinkles, yellow teeth, and very bad breath.
Most often the good looks turn ugly.
most smokers I see much younger than myself, are week. End up on wheel chairs or always whine they got one physical problem or another. I tell them QUIT SMOKING!
I don’t give a damned some days when i see or smell some1 smoking & say something. “Thanks a lot for the second hand smoke!” And lots of them smoke 1st thing in the morning and it’s obvious when all U can hear is hacking and coughing cintinuously. Ok, i feel like giving these smokes a slap on the face some days.
I will never appololize for my attitude towards smokers except those who really agree with me. funny that many ex smokers I spoke with are more militant than I.
They only educate smokers the damages it causes so makes it easier than banning it.
i cycled over 300 k last yr and raced too. I returned and dropped in a variety store to buy a drink. A woman spent ($10?) for cigarettes??) and I shook my head at the cigarette disply. I bought a V8 juice for a buck.
I want smoking banned from the streets big time. My right.
I challenge any smoker younger or older than I to follow me in my exercise routine.
My advice is NEVER SMOKE, DON’T START, STAY FIT & HEALTHY, OR PAY DEARLY BIG TIME LATER.
Richard
January 10th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Sorry about not proof reading. 300 k last yr cycling…that was one day I cycled that distance. perhaps in my age now (54 almost) getting slightly rusty.
I have much more to say but waiting for replies.
just in case>>email is wireless 7 instant….
Richard
January 14th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Well, how about some replies? Or did I shut up all smokers and all those who are against non smokers? Tough! I can’t comprehend how these smokers gotta pick up used butts from the street. I truly then believe all smokers will do the same low life crap if they can get away with it not bing caught. Humans with brains less than a cockroach! And U know what we all think of them! I hate to say “human trash” They are still human and perhaps just insecure or a mental problem. But somehow they chose that life. I call that “hell on earth”. And cigarettes are extreme evil.
come on! Try fighting me SMOKERS!
Richard
…dead against smoking and all those who promote & sell the garbage…..