Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Smoking kills (in more ways than one)

I planned on going back to Red Cross to volunteer with some of the staff members of the paper, but I woke up late so by the time I got to Alabang, they were already hanging out. So I just dropped off my donations and joined them in the food court.

On my way out of the village, I rode the friendly neighborhood village tricycle. I've been riding tricycles for many years and experienced many things there, like losing a phone and falling off the back seat. But never have I experienced riding with someone who smoked.

Generally, smokers are okay with me. A lot of my friends smoke and I'm constantly exposed to places where smoking is almost a requirement. But it's incredibly rude when you smoke in a small moving box and you don't know whether the person you're sitting next to is okay with it. I wouldn't have mind if the guy sat on the outer seat so he could blow out his smoke outside, but he was on the inner seat so I was forced to inhale his noxious fumes. I let him know that I was not okay with it by fanning the smoke that got in my face and throwing him a withering look when I got down.

Smoking, like all things, is a personal thing between the smoker and his cigarette. There is absolutely no need to involve anyone else, especially non-smokers. You don't just light up and let the world know you're cool when you're in a cramped space. It's all about responsibility. Responsible smokers respect the space of those around him.

I used to be a smoker myself so I know how strong nicotine is. In fact, it has the highest rate of potential for addiction, scoring a solid 100%. Smoking has always relieved me of my tension and helped me get by the lowest points of my life. I know that when you need it, you need it. But I was responsible. I smoked in open spaces and gave non-smokers a chance to run away screaming. I didn't smoke in enclosed areas where I could offend people. The statesman Thomas More once said (correct me if I'm wrong here) that everyone is entitled to as much space as he needs. But if he goes out of his way and invades others with his smoking, then I hope he gets what he deserves, if you know what I mean.

8 Comments:

eye_spy said...

i am with you on that.. teehee.

i don't smoke but some of my friends do and i don't mind at all if they smoke with me around for as long as they are not blowing the smoke at me.

it's a different thing if you're in a vehicle and you get to breathe in all the air coming from their flaring nostrils or whichever orifice they use cause i always get the urge to push them out of the running vehicle.

Koji A. Iizuka said...

i thought about pushing him. but i was on the outer seat :D

Rz F said...

I can relate. With smoking and with personal space issues. :P

I smoke sometimes, but I really try not to let it be a bother to other people. I can't even smoke with my non-smoking friends kasi nahihiya ako. :P

It's all about respect. Apparently, there's not enough of it to go around. :(

Koji A. Iizuka said...

i agree. respect isn't that common these days.

Anonymous said...

for some reason, this killed me. cracked me up! :)

smoking is indeed an intimate relationship between the smoker and the cigarette!

Koji A. Iizuka said...

i always thought smoking was like sex :D

cArLo said...

"I smoked in open spaces and gave non-smokers a chance to run away screaming."
-hehe this made me laugh.
well yeah i smoke, and i've been with people that don't like smoke getting to their nostrils, so i know how it feels... and i try not to let my smoke get to anyone's faces bilang respeto. kahit smoker pa sya o hindi.

Koji A. Iizuka said...

that's great :) respect starts with each of us and i'm glad there are others who share this sentiment.

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