Anyone still smoke?

[Markbnj]

Public space has to be shared and some compromise has to be made. I don't have a right to not smell a perfume I don't care for. I may not like it and it could be full of chemicals. Just the same, if I want to have a cigarette and am being respectful... well, deal with it.

It is absolutely all about civility. Personally I feel that the singling out of smokers is just bias. I work at home. When I smoke I don't have to smoke in public. I never have to deal with any of this, but it bugs me nonetheless, especially when corporations start trying to pry into the personal lives of their employees. Don't we have enough powerful institutions trying to stick their noses there? Wouldn't it be enough to set actual expectations with regard to public behavior and leave it at that?

That, and also, isn't it time to fire all the HR people? At least those at director level and above. I mean, really. If they're all fired imagine the productivity and creativity that might burst forth when they all have to think of something useful to do.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Wow, when I created this thread I had no idea the amount of hostility it would generate.

trollololollol

 

[IronWing]

trollololollol

It's not hostility, it's righteous anger.

 

[jayzds]

There are plenty of carcinogens and harmful chemicals in the environment not caused by tobacco. Just search "perfume carcinogens". I don't get the smoking hate. It has plenty of negatives going for it, but at this point everyone is well aware of them, so it is a personal choice. For those who don't want second hand smoke, you should have that right (within reason). As an example, I don't want to breathe car exhaust, but I am with every breath and you are too. I don't get why smoking is singled out I guess. Eating a Whopper isn't exactly good for you or the environment either.

^^
I agree with this and I do not smoke. I know many smokers and my parents smoke as well. My father has tried many times but can't stay off. He would love to be done but, has the hardest time trying to stop.

 

[OverVolt]

Is it? Smoking lowers workplace productivity and it raises absenteeism. Those are both things a potential employer should be considering.

Alot of studies these days only look at the correlation of one item without adjusting for other factors.

So in one NIH study I was reading eggs are bad for you. Except eggs were also correlated with higher bacon consumption. And higher rates of smoking. And higher rates of red meat consumption. When adjusted for those factors eggs were actually beneficial for heart health and they quickly dismissed that idea as unpossible but I was fairly intrigued.

I've realized now that most food studies are really just a mashup of all the stereotypes and correlations associated with whatever is being studied. Whole wheat is good for you, its correlated with higher socioeconomic status, which is correlated with being able to afford more vegetables. Then another study comes out that says whole wheat alone doesn't do much for your diet and confuses everyone.

Anyway, smoking is associated with lower socioeconomic status so its no surprise that is also correlated with like a list of a bajillion other things and absenteeism is definitely among them. One study might say they are less productive because of longer breaks and you'll turn right around and a different study says people working OT without sufficient breaks are less productive so who cares, really.

 

[Theb]

I only smoke when I have an opportunity to keep thousands of people from going into a bar. I like the feeling of power that it gives me.

 

[ThinClient]

I only smoke when I have an opportunity to keep thousands of people from going into a bar. I like the feeling of power that it gives me.

lolololol

 

[Mixolydian]

Along with car exhaust, garbage, people, and everything else a populated place smells like.

Exactly.

Oh and I'm pretty sure exhaust and other forms of air pollution are bad for your health too.

 

[ThinClient]

It's not hostility, it's righteous anger.

That is exactly how I would describe your sensationalist exaggerations and blanket statements about smokers.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have no idea why anyone smokes quite frankly. It is a disgusting habit.

Thankfully you can't smoke in any public buildings in California (including restaurants and bars) and some outdoor locations also ban smoking.

 

[boomerang]

Wow, when I created this thread I had no idea the amount of hostility it would generate. I did expect some of those 5 year-olds though.

Here's what did you in;

Then the week before, I was at the walgreens drive through and some woman pulled up behind us smoking. Yeah, I'm dead serious, smoking at the health store! It filled my car with so much smoke I had to leave and go inside to get my meds. I'm definitely switching to cvs now.

People recognized that you're a loon and responded accordingly.

 

[Oyeve]

Then the week before, I was at the walgreens drive through and some woman pulled up behind us smoking. Yeah, I'm dead serious, smoking at the health store! It filled my car with so much smoke I had to leave and go inside to get my meds. I'm definitely switching to cvs now.

And your car spewed far more shit than that cigarette.

 

[slag]

Based on what?

Based on all the smokers going out for a 10 minute smoke break every 1-2 hours when no one else does this. It's fucking annoying as hell to see a few people walking out, across the street to smoke for 10 minutes or more every hour or two while everyone else sits at their desk and is productive.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Based on all the smokers going out for a 10 minute smoke break every 1-2 hours when no one else does this. It's fucking annoying as hell to see a few people walking out, across the street to smoke for 10 minutes or more every hour or two while everyone else sits at their desk and is productive.

I agree that smokers tend to be outside smoking more than they should at the work place (I am generalizing here). But, because humans aren't 100% efficient when they are at their desk, I would question if they are really getting less done than many who don't smoke. I'd say it has more to do with the individuals being compared than smoking / not smoking.

 

[ThinClient]

Based on all the smokers going out for a 10 minute smoke break every 1-2 hours when no one else does this. It's fucking annoying as hell to see a few people walking out, across the street to smoke for 10 minutes or more every hour or two while everyone else sits at their desk and is productive.

First of all, it's the employer's choice to allow that many smoke breaks. Just because your employer allows it doesn't mean that the smoker is more evil for doing it.

Second, it sounds like you're a lousy busy-body who has so little focus on his work that you have the time and energy to focus on those who are taking a smoke break.

Who gives a shit what other people are doing you nosey nutbag? Get back to work.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I haven't smoked a cig in over a year. Maybe closer to 2. I do have cigars from time to time (less than once per month). Does that make me a smoker to an HR person?

 

[ThinClient]

I haven't smoked a cig in over a year. Maybe closer to 2. I do have cigars from time to time (less than once per month). Does that make me a smoker to an HR person?

Yes, and how dare you blow it in ironwing's face.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I haven't smoked a cig in over a year. Maybe closer to 2. I do have cigars from time to time (less than once per month). Does that make me a smoker to an HR person?

Not in my opinion and I wouldn't qualify myself as a smoker (I might smoke a couple cigars per year as well). I don't even think once a month would qualify you as a smoker.

 

[nickbits]

half my wife's immediate family smokes, my co worker who sits next to me, smokes. smoking is alive and well.

 

[slag]

First of all, it's the employer's choice to allow that many smoke breaks. Just because your employer allows it doesn't mean that the smoker is more evil for doing it.

Second, it sounds like you're a lousy busy-body who has so little focus on his work that you have the time and energy to focus on those who are taking a smoke break.

Who gives a shit what other people are doing you nosey nutbag? Get back to work.

My employer is against smoking actually. You can't do it in the parking lot, anywhere on the grounds, even in your car. You have to walk across the street and not be on company land. Also, we get a break on our insurance if we don't smoke or if smokers join a smoking cessation agreement. Smoking is bad for you, there is no documentation or argument that says it isn't. I notice the smokers walking by because of where my office is. I don't follow them or make it a point to count them, but every hour when they walk by like lemmings who can't live without a puff.. its just pathetic.

I'm on lunch.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Yes, and how dare you blow it in ironwing's face.

But that is what makes life worth living. It's the little things, you know?

 

[ThinClient]

My employer is against smoking actually. You can't do it in the parking lot, anywhere on the grounds, even in your car. You have to walk across the street and not be on company land. Also, we get a break on our insurance if we don't smoke or if smokers join a smoking cessation agreement. Smoking is bad for you, there is no documentation or argument that says it isn't. I notice the smokers walking by because of where my office is. I don't follow them or make it a point to count them, but every hour when they walk by like lemmings who can't live without a puff.. its just pathetic.

I'm on lunch.

If you're THAT much of a controlling cockbag that you feel the urge to control the lives of others, maybe you should speak to their supervisor and bring the matter to management to solve your problem.

Or, you know, you could fuck off and mind your own business and keep your shitty judgmental bullshit to yourself.

 

[Leyawiin]

I dallied with it when I was 14 for a few months. Got the flu shortly thereafter and never took it up again. I used to live on the Central Coast of California in a fairly affluent community and I rarely saw a smoker. A few years ago I moved to a kind of lower class, low income town in far Northern California and there are smokers everywhere - seems like every third adult has one going. Also a lot of alcohol, pot and meth usage too. The poorer and less educated a community the more bad habits and vices like that seem flourish.

 

[IronWing]

That is exactly how I would describe your sensationalist exaggerations and blanket statements about smokers.

No exaggerations. Smokers are assholes, that's why they smoke. To be assholes. To everybody around them. "Hey, I'm in a crowd, looks like it's time to light up!" Total assholes.

 

[JulesMaximus]

half my wife's immediate family smokes, my co worker who sits next to me, smokes. smoking is alive and well.

I'd say at least half the anglers and crew on the fishing boat I went on last weekend smoke.