...As you may have inferred, I am a smoker, about 3/4 of a pack a day. I have been a smoker for about 15 years and have quit twice matter-of-factly because my lifestyle did not have room for them. I eventually restarted, though. I also worked for a while as a direct-marketing rep for Camel (going around to bars, giving out complimentary packs), it was a fun, well-paying job, but I felt "dirty" doing it, but it facilitated alot of connections for my other work (VJ, Web-Design) and I got a lot of free drinks and entrance to free shows at music venues. Smokers loved me, and I made a lot of friends I would not have usually, and met many attractive women. Non-smokers were ambivalent or sometimes hostile to my presence. It was policy only to approach smokers BTW. So I am in pretty deep.
As far as my opinion on smoking, I am conflicted. On one hand, I find it disgusting, smelly, and unhealthy, which it obviously is. But many "vices" are not attractive for rational reasons, and although the addictive properties corraled me in, I quite enjoy smoking, which is why I have not quit, despite the considerable expense. My reasons are idiosyncratic.
I like that less people smoke these days, and that a lot of the "allure" has been taken out of the activity. I also support non-smoking in Workplaces and restaurants and in Public indoor spaces. I do like being able to smoke in a bar, but in the places which have laws to prevent it, I haven't minded as much as I thought I would. Barring it outside seems a little excessive.
I do not like the connection between littering and smoking, and I mike an effort to properly dispose of my butts, be it in the trash (after making sure it is out), in an ashtray (where available) or in my pockets or a small jar (if I have my tote-bag), which I feel is responsible.
With regards to second-hand smoking, I am not completely convinced of a causal link, although in a small, unventilated environment, is is hard to dispute that it can't be healthy. Despite my reluctance, I am willing to give the benefit-of-the-doubt to the premise. With the general decline in air quality, I feel auto-emissions are at least as bad as cigarette smoke, among others, but I guess you take any improvement where you can get it. However, if you are vehemently anti-smoking for these reasons, and drive often, or in a fuel-inefficient vehicle (like an SUV), or consume a large amount of energy, when other options are available, I feel that borders on hypocrisy..
As far as raising cigarette taxes, I am not sure...as a smoker, i would of course like them to remain cheap, and 75% of their current price is already taxes, so perhaps it is a little excessive at this point, but I am not really passionate about it one way or the other...if a reasonable argument is advanced for raising the tax, I will support it.
Smoking is a personal choice, and I do feel that smokers should not be unduly prosecuted, as we mainly hurt ourselves, as people do with alcohol and drugs and an assortment of other habits which also, to varying degrees impinge on the rights of others. That said, I agree with measures to limit the attractiveness of smoking to younger generations, which many modern measures do, so I am willing to give on the former for the benefit of the latter...
It would be nice if smokers were a dying breed in more ways than one...
Take as you will...
