Well it's fact that smoking isn't good for the smoker.

And while standing next to a smoker is not a danger to health, it is unpleasant for the non-smoker because of the smoke and because the smoker really does smell
But on the other hand, it's no worse than standing next to someone with bad body odour, bad breath or someone who doesn't wash their clothes.

Swiss non-smokers put up with smokers because, under the law, smoking is legal.

If it wasn't, you'd probably see a different attitude.

You're right. Try your "excuse me, would you mind moving a little further away please? I'm afraid I'm allergic to cigarette smoke - sorry!" compared to the more judgemental "UGH! Get your filthy cancer stick out of my face, you subhuman."

Shooting people who smoke in stations and on platforms is perfectly acceptable. Try it sometime.

The police will be along quick to commend you on your excellent aim - and reward you with a holiday in a luxury hotel.

Well that all depends. If you're Swiss and you shoot a foreigner (preferably one from a former Communist state that doesn't exist any more.....), then I'm sure the SVP will campaign for your release......

People groaning at someone who has been here 6 weeks noticing and asking about something many others have is a bit off.

Switzerland is a bit backward on smoking. People are generally healthy and go hiking and stuff, and don't drop litter. But they smoke like chimneys and drop fag butts (no double meaning intended) on the pavement.

Switzerland must import it's cigarettes. Think how much better off the economy would be if people spent the money on, um, chocolate, cheese and stuff.



The only Swiss person I know who's died since I've been here, was a really really nice guy who died way before his time, from a smoking related illness. Very sad. Mentioning him just destroyed my will to make any more points.

Hi,

You need to remember the unwritten rules of the EF:
- The EF has a team of elevated equestrians - membership of which is top secret - whose job it is to groan and bad-rep on sight any newbie who writes on one of a number of topics within their first ten posts

- The list of topics includes but is not limited to: smoking, expensive shops / restaurants, dogs, brown sugar, salaries, public transportation

And to keep on topic, I would say Switzerland has made some great leaps forward with regard to the smoking topic - not least in bars and restaurants. For backwards attitudes on smoking you need to go to Vienna. Like the OP, I really get annoyed with smokers who light a fag at the tram stop when the next one is a minute away, then as the tram pulls up, take one enormous drag, throw the lit end into the gutter, step on the tram then exhale thus stinking the whole tram out.

As a cyclist my other pet hate is lit cig butts being flicked out of moving car windows. Why can't laser guns be fitted to bike handlebars?

Cheers,
Nick

__________________

No, they import SOME, but not all.

They DO grow tobacco here, you know?

Tom

I thought this was one of those ancient old threads being regurgitated .... but see it`s dated today!

When I first joined up with EF I found a similar thread and made a comment ...... and then got verbally (writerally?) lambasted for dragging up an ancient thread, and collected a whole bunch of red blobbies, it took me a year to work up enough courage to venture here again!

Smoke must be similar to perfume? I find some (most) perfumes horribly pungent and non-breathable when those doused in them come stand near me, anywhere. I have yet to work up the courage to tell them to remove their bodies from my precence because the smell is nauseating me and making breathing uncomfortable.
Usually, if their presence becomes prolonged, then I just move away - rather than explode into righteous indignation.

On the other hand ... I find the aroma of those puffing on those dogy-like cigars ... rather pleasant ... and brings to mind an old fashioned private library with overstuffed leather chairs, fireplace, sleeping dogs, whisky in decanters .........

I am also, now that I`m on this roll, thinking what reactions would occur, should those complaining of a cigarette smoker on a train platform, if confronted by an old puffing billy steam locomotive whoosh past chugging out steam, coal smoke and soot?

They should be happy that at least they were born into this modern super improved age - and not then - when a train journey left one covered in fine black soot.

Totally agree!!
Really can not understand those selfish smokers...

Also, thanks for the post (I do not know how to 'press' Thanks 'button' here, yet..I am new here in EF :-)

I know I originally said that one of the reasons for the groan was that the subject has been done to death, but I think my initial objection was actually due to the use of language like "cancer sticks". You don't like cigarettes? Fine. Don't be so judgemental of others that do. I'm not a smoker and it still annoys me.

I don't understand why it's not acceptable to say "disgusting fatties" when referring to obese people, but to say that someone isn't a "normal" person because they smoke is.

I absolutely wouldn't have groaned if the tone of the OP had been neutral.

In Scotland there is a ban on dropping the cig ends on the street. They do have people that can fine you for doing it. I have only seen it happen in Glasgow but they will chase the offender into a shop.
I am not suggesting they do this here but a few more of those bins with the ash bins on the top would help.

It's the people being judgemental about people being judgemental about people who smoke that really wind me up!

The ones who say "I've got nothing against smokers but..." and then go on to say really derogatory stuff about smokers!

Cheers,
Nick

Next time fart near them loud, long and stinky and let them smoke that as well. If they complain just excuse yourself telling this is your way to get reflief from stress, after all farting is not illegal.

Like this:

Mojado,
Do not be so rude

Odd thing about me and living in Switzerland is that I hate cheese. I detest the stuff (that should get me a groan or 2). The smell of it really does make me want to (and on 1 occasion did) throw up.

So whenever I am in the kitchen at work eating my lunch or having a chat, and somebody comes in with food that stinks to high heaven in a way that makes me physically ill, I don't ask them to stop eating or leave the room (even if I was there first), I just move myself away from them.

I don't make comments on how the cholesterol will give them a heart attack, or say that in my eyes they are revolting creatures. After all, whilst somebody might agree with me, it is my own personal view and not a statement of fact.

Nor do I suggest that somebody places a jar of marmite under their nose if they find it unplesant.

I hate to break it to you, but it's a simple fact that 50% of smokers die of a smoke-related condition. I wrote an article about this for a magazine I worked for, some years ago, and I did my research for it.

Moving on...

I agree with the "when in Rome" sentiment. I absolutely detest cigarette smoke. A long day in public here in Switzerland can actually have me nauseous and gagging by dinner time. Just this morning, a smoker exhaled at just the right time for the smoke to be blown into my face, and I was coughing for quite some time after. Unfortunately, I've concluded that Swiss smokers don't think about the people around them, because polluting others' air doesn't seem to be considered rude here. So, I try my best to avoid smokers where I can, but work almost as hard not to get pissed off at them when I'm forced into proximity, or a train station is full of smoke.

If something is acceptable in a country, you really should try to accept it yourself, even if you don't like it. Worst case, I find that breathing through a shirt sleeve helps; occasionally, it also makes the smoker aware that they're bothering you, and do something about it. It looks stupid, but so does gagging on air, and hacking away gets even more attention.

Their body, their business. Your body, your business. If somebody wants to smoke, let them. If a restaurant owner wants to allow smoking, let him/her. If an apartment owner (not renter) wants to ban smoking in his building, let him/her. Its your right to choose, and not my right to take away from you.

If you don't like the smell, don't want to inhale, walk upwind. Easy.

BTW, I don't smoke, never even a drag. I watched what they did to my grandparents, and that cured me. But people need their vices.

I smoke fairly constantly when waiting for a bus or tram (secretly, I think Zurich has timed the buses and trams every 6-7 mins so if you miss one you have time for a cigarette ) But I am very aware of the dislike it might bring to others, so I always get myself as distant'd as possible. Almost everytime there is one or two people who walk up, seeming out of their way to stand in my personal space--with an entire empty platform to do what they please with. Blows my mind, but at what level and boundary do I have to go out of my way for them. You don't like the smokers at the buses or trams, take a taxi or a car. It's a public space and you will deal with all social levels of the public when you use it regardless of your assumed superiority.

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