So i'm waiting at a bus stop that is packed with people, you know how that goes, you get odd smelling people and people with really odd music. You got rap on one side and trance on the other. It's just something you have to deal with. I mean really it's only 10 more minutes till the bus comes right? Besides if you leave and come back in 10 min you risk standing up or having to wait for the next bus and do the same process all over again. All of a sudden someone right next to you takes out a cigarette and starts smoking. Withing seconds the wind brings the smoke right under your nose and pretty quickly the whole bus stop gets to enjoy you smoking.
This really Really annoys me. Before you get the misconception it's not the smokers i hate. It's the fact that they have to smoke in a public area that is full of people waiting for the bus. For those of you unaware of where i am talking from this is Europe, well the Netherlands to be more specific. Smokers heaven i guess you could say. Meaning that you will get this pretty damn often.
Another example, when i walk to school, 15 min walk from the metro station you will pass at least 2 or 3 groups of people smoking. That isnt half bad though at least you can hold your breath for a few seconds as you get the time to walk around them.
Or if you go to a restaurant, especially small fast food business's that dont have a smoker or non smoking section. You will get some people in the restaurant that feel the need to smoke.
The problem i have is the constant confrontation of having people smoke in public in places that i cannot avoid them. I shouldn't even have to avoid them in the first place.
Ok well i'm done with my rampaging. Please though before you flamming me for being unreasonable or what not do realize that smoking is highly unpleasant for those not used to it or haven't smoked before. I'm not against smokers or even smoking but is it really that hard to keep it to your house?

So what does everyone else think about such things? Doesn't have to be smoking in particular but things like loud music or anything that you should have to deal with.
Also please provide arguments for whichever side you plan to choose. Dont just say yea i agree and let it me done with.

I agree. I hate that people need to smoke in places you can't get away from them>-<

I dislike smokers who force their bad choices upon others in society. Smoking has been proved to cause many health problems and so to continue smoking is a disrespect to one's own body and everyone around them.

Smoking in public;
It's fairly disrespectful to expect everyone to breathe in pollutants you create but so long as you are in an area where people can get away from you quickly it's not a huge problem. If you are in a bus stop as mentioned by the OP then it's VERY rude. I have to ask though...Gimlii, did you try asking them to put out the smoke politely?

Smoking in restaurants;
If there is no smoke free section then this is VERY rude. I can't imagine why anyone would go to a place that serves expensive food and then saturate it with smoke. Paying extra money to taste smoke seems like something fairly dumb. Not to mention ruining everyone else's dinner as a result and refusing to put out the cig when kindly asked.

Conclusion;
It is illegal to harm another either intentionally or unintentionally. Smoking has been proven to cause health problems and so people who smoke are harming themselves and everyone around them, usually without permission. Non-smokers need to learn to politely ask the smokers around them not to smoke in their presence. You'd be surprised how willing a stranger is to put out a cig in a restaurant or at a place where no one has the luxury of moving away. Most will comply and apologize. Only a few will say no or be real big jerks about it, they deserve to be punched in the face.

Smokers can't just keep the smoking to their house though because they are addicted. They HAVE to smoke or they will get the shakes and feel sick. It's unreasonable to expect them to only smoke at home because it's impossible for a smoker to do. Look up the scientific information behind it and chemical addiction. I really don't understand why people choose to harm themselves like that when they know it's not healthy but...it's their choice so long as they don't make it my choice too by forcing smoke upon me.

I think its annoying to people that dont smoke. They should just do their dirty habits at home.

Here in New Zealand, we have recently made it illegal to smoke in bars and in many other public areas. I find it much more enjoyable going to these places now knowing I won't be covered in that foul smelling smoke! What I don't like about smokers is when they clear thier throats and spit thier mucus onto the street! I used to have the job of cleaning it up and I hate the stuff!

Ever been trapped in a small windowless room with a pair of pipe smokers? I have and believe me, it's not fun!

It should be banned, however in my country its up to the location owners and in public facilities and in offices

I don't care if they smoke or not, but when they do it in public and I start to smell it. It really gets annoying.

I don't have a problem with people smoking in general, but not around me. When I was living in Germany as a child (about 4 years old), my family and I were at a bowling alley and the people next to us were smoking like it was going out of style. Being a small kid and not understanding the word "tact" I told them that smoking was bad and that it kills kids like me! My parents were embarrassed but proud.

Anyways, I think all public places should be smoke free. It's very selfish for smokers to think we don't care. Just because they don't care about their health doesn't mean we don't care about ours! If they want to destroy their lungs, gums, and teeth, let them. But I don't want any second hand smoke in me.

Oh I can't stand Smoke eeeh its smells bad people say

"No it doesn't it smells nice"

me "OK Were should I dig your Grave"

oh well.

Hmm why there is only people against smoke till now?

come one people that smoke defend yourselves...

Some people smoked so bad that it doesn't matter if they smoked IN the bus or not because they already smelled worse than cigarette and I smelled them like a few seats away. It's true.

Danalm

hmm why there is only people against smoke till now?

come one people that smoke defend yourselves...

Haha, interesting comment... But if I smoked I don't think I would know how, because the complaints above are completely logical right?

In my country, smoking is such a big problem that it has gone to a certain extent where in some "lower-class" [this expression is not meant to offend anyone, I just mean to describe places that are less taken care of, run down etc.] public areas, people are starting to actually argue with the surrounding authorities about the "smoking-free" areas and start to smoke there as a form of rebellion. An act that I still fail to comprehend. The rules on smoking here are also extremely weak and contain a lot of loopholes. [Very sad]

If it isn't obvious, I HATE second hand smoke. I don't think I can hate people who smoke publicly but I am extremely annoyed with them. Although this might sound selfish, but to be honest, it is an extreme discomfort for all of us non-smokers since it is not only annoying, mind-spinning, it's also a health hazard which means that smoking publicly not only is annoying but it also hurts others.

I don't mind if smokers wish to smoke, but it would be nice if they smoked private areas such as their homes or bedrooms. Additionally would be really nice if they try to limit themselves in public areas, so everyone could enjoy their time, smoke-free. [Boy, do I sound whiny or what]

Here in Australia there are laws against smoking in most public places, bars and goverment areas. Sadly there's is virtually noone to enforce these laws, so there's really not much change at all, rather irritating for those who commute with chain smokers.

Also isn't passive smoker actually worse then smoking a cigarette anyway? Since you don't have a filter at all. . not to mention a health hazard for those who have lung or health problems.

Just echoing Clara again... most people really dont mind if you choose to smoke, hey it's your choice just give a moment's thought to those around you and their health before you light up.

KuroKaze i haven't actually tried to speak with the people. Though most of the people smoking at the buss stop seem to be about 2 years older then me and only being 16 doesn't exactly give a convincing impression i guess you could say. Basically i don't have the guts to tell someone to stop smoking, especially not someone of the same age as me.

Smoking is a really big thing over here. Everyone seems to start off wanting to be cool and starts smoking at a really young age. 12 most of the time. Of course there are exeptions like some girl who wanted to piss of her boyfriend. Anyway now most of our glass is about 15-16 years old and i think about 2/3 of us smoke. Either that or there parents do which is really the same thing.

How about with you guy's? Not sure how many of you go to school though, but i'm sure some of you do :p

La la