When it comes to anti-social habits, smoking pretty much tops the list.
It’s expensive, it ruins your health, it ages your complexion – beats me why anybody would take it up in the first place.
When I first worked in an office nearly 30 years ago, it was in a call centre with a number of chain smokers. By the end of the day my hair and clothes reeked; I had to shower as soon as I got home. Heaven only knows what it did to my lungs!
Over the years, the restrictions on smoking in public places have gotten tighter and thankfully passive smoking – whether at work, shops, or outside schools – is almost a thing of the past.
It’s amazing though how often I get caught in smoke drift still when I am out and about – whether at the beach, going for a walk, or even in my own home.
You see, my neighbours like to smoke out on their pergola. (It’s a rental, so maybe they’re not allowed to smoke indoors?) But as a result, as soon as I set foot outside my front door – even just to check the letter box – I am assailed by smoke.
The pergola is right next to our bedroom and my office; I can’t open the windows without being stunk out. Being a rental property, there is a frequent turnover in tenants so I’m hoping that they will be moving on soon.
Just this week I heard there were moves afoot to ban smoking on unit balconies. Considering my own experiences – I say: bring it on! And why limit it to apartments and units?
Current Premier Campbell Newman is not a fan of the proposed balcony smoking ban. (Obviously he lives in a McMansion with a huge yard if he doesn’t think it’s a problem … unlike the rest of us mere mortals who live in units or houses on teeny blocks).
Others say it would be difficult to enforce.
So for the moment I still have to put up with dirty, smelly, foul, toxic-chemical laden air from another person’s body drifting straight into my lungs.
All I can say is: imagine the outcry if I went up to somebody and proceeded to fart in their face.
Just like blowing smoke their way, it’s dirty, smelly, foul, toxic-chemical laden air from another person’s body – yet I doubt it would damage their lungs like cigarettes can!
So what’s the difference?!
the picture I get of you farting I someone’s face is hysterical!
But I feel your pain about the next door smokers, I hope they move on real soon.
Glad I could make you giggle Jan, I know I seem so ladylike 😉 ! Hope you are settling well in Melbourne x
Well said Janet. I detest cigarette smoking even though I was once a smoker. The smell of it makes me sick and the odour lingers for ages in clothing, furniture, curtains and the like. The other annoying thing is that people who smoke are now anti-social because they have to leave the room to smoke on their own. I would hate that!
It’s funny how people who once were smokers particularly dislike the smell now. I wonder why that is?
Golly, that’s a tricky one Janet. I prescribe lots of mini breaks to country bed and breakfasts where you can enjoy the fresh air and long lazy lunches….sounds good to me.
Tonia – you can be my doctor any day, with prescriptions like that! 😉
I hate the people who smoke right outside doorways of public places. Even when there are signs saying they can’t. Those people shit me. Make your own bad decisions for your health, but don’t involve my lungs, thank you very much.
Yep, and then you have to walk through the clouds of smoke to get in GRRRR
When I read about that proposal I thought YES. But the government are reluctant to ban smoking because they get too much money from the tax on tobacco.
Oh I didn’t think of that! Smart Pinky 😉
We had that same problem years ago. The minute the neighbours went out to smoke, I had to shut the house up to keep out the smell. I was using aircon on days I didn’t need to, because we couldn’t have the windows open. So annoying. Hope they move soon Janet. I dare say legislation would take a while to pass, and if you can’t smoke at home, where will people go then?
It’s really inconsiderate, isn’t it? I can’t stand it when someone smokes at the next table in an outside cafe.
And I agree with Pinky – if there’s money in it for the government, you won’t be seeing any changes anytime soon…Sad but true!