Smokers owe others more consideration
Seniors aren't the only ones who can't tolerate smoke. People with ulcers, asthma, migraines, heart problems and chronic sinusitis can't either. Smoke can actually trigger flair-ups of these painful conditions.
So, next time you light up, please consider whom you might be hurting. Consider that they may not have the benefits of health insurance or sick days, and that exposure to smoke can actually cost them dearly. Even in areas where smoking is clearly prohibited, smokers light up, like at the War Memorial Coliseum. I was at the Aerosmith concert where no smoking is allowed in the seats and yet several people lit up in our section. What started to be a fun night — in one of the few facilities I can enjoy music — became a nightmare. Smoke filled my sinus cavity and the pain started.
People who suffer because of smoke may be your friend, your family member, or it might be me, your neighbor, who relies on places that say they're smoke-free to actually be smoke-free. But that also takes good neighbors. So, please, be a good neighbor — don't smoke in public. Every time you make that choice, you give others a bit more life.
Faun Finley
Greensboro
Comments (7)
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I agree! Lets have smokers concerts and non smoker concerts! Those you cannot go to!
ALso, please do not drink! I hate to see the results and it drives my health care costs up to take care of them!
By the way, Hope you are not over weight! That also drives up my health care costs and is a burden to society, just like smoking! So if you are one of those, please loose the pounds!
john
Posted on February 6, 2006 8:57 AM
lol john, yeah you're right. I figure its high time for the smokers, drinkers, and overweight folks to push back. if you fit into any of those categories, why not complain about how non-smokers, non-drinkers, and skinny folks need to have more consideration for the rest of us? lol personally I quit smoking, not because i hate the smell or am worried about pissing off other people or causing them health conditions, i did it because its not doing anything for me anymore, I'd need to up the nicotine and I'm not up for doing that. none-the-less, there is an HDTV at Walmart with my name on it which means i will sit and watch tv and drink and get fatter...
Posted on February 7, 2006 9:43 AM
Asking for consideration is not asking too much. I quit smoking almost a year ago, and I see how much of a inconvenience it is to others. Most of my family still smoke and it drives me crazy that when we go out to eat as a family we have to wait three times as along for a table because my mother can't manage to last 2 hours without lighting up. I agree with the writer though, if you want to smoke fine. Just show some respect to the world around you.
As far as the smoking in the auditorium that is just awful. I hope you reported them to the ushers. Otherwise, by not having the guts to do so you share part of the blame for your conditions.
Additionally, if you are not a smoker, part of the responsibility for protecting yourself falls on you. If you see a group of smokers, go the other way!
Posted on February 7, 2006 3:51 PM
littlebudababy,if it takes your mother 2 hours to eat, how much does she weigh?...
JUST KIDDING !!! (don't be mad)
Posted on February 7, 2006 6:56 PM
Will here we go again..The Coliseum does not have to worry about running me off for smoking, they ran thousands of us off long ago with high prices on all events..but what really roasted my chicken was paying for parking..so I'm out of there...
And as for Finley, since when do you have the right to ruin or run my life..?
May I ask if stepping in vomit and wading in spilt beer,(at the Coliseum),bother you any?..
Here's what we'll do: I'll stay out of your Coliseum and you stay out of my pocket when your looking for monies to pay for the damn thing..OK??
Posted on February 7, 2006 8:02 PM
Elmerstune,
Amen and Amen.
I haven't been over to the rat trap called a Coliseum in over ten years. And I don't recall missing a darn thing.
Let'em have the headache and the blessing that go with it.
Posted on February 8, 2006 2:34 PM
Neocon, you crack me up. I was actually including the waiting for a table time. A lot of restuarants only have non smoking waiting areas now. It's ok though, I did get the joke. However, my mother does weigh 300 lbs.
I avoid the coliseum as well. 35.00 for decent seats at the circus....no freaking thanks man!
Posted on February 9, 2006 4:44 PM