Pet Peeve: Cigarette Smoke

I have a few pet peeves regarding tobacco smoke.

The first is when smokers, in the company of non-smoking friends ‘light up’  which means their friends are forced to inhale tobacco smoke. Second-hand smoke is dangerous and there is no safe level of exposure   I understand some people can’t live without their cancer sticks and that’s entirely their choice – it’s not ours. Please, either step away from the group or at least have the courtesy to ask if it’s okay.  Please don’t assume. There may be someone in the group with respiratory issues so inhaling smoke could cause a serious problem.

The second peeve is for smokers who ‘light up’ while people are eating. This is particularly annoying with outside restaurant areas and the smoke drifts across your food and contaminates the air. Please be considerate of other diners.

The third peeve…when you light up, smoke the cigarette please don’t pose by holding it over your shoulder or down by your side. Someone could walk by and catch their clothing on the cigarette. This once happened to me and burnt a hole in my new coat. Or worse, a child or dog could be injured.

Then there is the smell of stale smoke on clothes. Non-smokers don’t want to smell like stale ashtrays

Finally, the beach and other open spaces are not an ashtray for your discarded cigarette ends, especially if they are still alight. Flicking cigarettes from an open window of your car onto the countryside is potentially a wildfire hazard. Please don’t.

Please encourage smokers to take part in World No Tobacco Day on the 31st May