Chad Cooper schreef: > > accept it when there > > employees use alcohol or cocaine at work. Did not exactly boost my > > popularity, to see the least. Understandable, of course, > > because by drawing > > those parallels you are essentially calling your smoking > > co-workers drug > > addicts... > > They are...! Let them know so they can get help (i'm serious). > > Europe has it together much better than the US when it comes to > understanding smoking and how to quit.
Maybe, but the incentive to quit in Europe is much less then in the US. I worked for several different government agencies. Complaining about being in a smokefilled room all day, and as a result caughing my lungs out during the night got me a lot of nasty looks and sarcastic remarks everytime. As long as bosses in companies are of the 'older male addicted type' nothing will change. And a government career is a long one. So it might be another 25 years before things actually start to change from a dead textbook page to a healthy work environment. Actually only two of my jobs were smoke free, and surprise surprise... my bosses during both were non smokers. > The real facts are: > Every smoker wishes they never started. > Every smoker thought they would never become addicted. Amazingly this is something I hear from a lot of over 40 year olds in the work place. The twens still treat it as trendy and hip I'm afraid. > Smokers are strong-willed. > Getting over the fear of quitting is hard. > Actually quitting smoking is easy. > Ex-smokers do not have to miserable for the rest of their lives. > Quitting smoking can be enjoyable. > Smokers are not 'giving up' anything - they become 'free' of cigarettes. > Smoking does not relieve stress, it causes it. > People (smokers/non-smokers) are brainwashed into thinking the opposite of > these statements. I'm a non smoker. I cannot stand cigarette smoke and end up caughing my lungs out with severe headaches as a result when I have to become smoked meat in order to keep my job or go out. I cannot even visit my mom unless I make some strong demands beforehand (which usually poisens the atmosphere on another level and makes a visit inside her home less then enjoyable). I told her that if I ever come over with Tom and her guests smoke around him I'll be out of there never to be seen again and she can visit Tom over here exclusively. I admit that it is total blackmail, but it seems to be the only way to keep those addicts from poisening my baby. Only thing that bothers me with that arrangement is that as a result I now feel the urge to apologise to every smoking relative, friend or otherwise when they go light up outside my moms house because of my demands concerning Tom's health. And now you tell me I'm brainwashed. Looks like I am. Why else would I wanne apologise to drugaddicts because I am trying to keep my child out of their fumes? > Think about that the next time you decide to be the 'smart' one and tell a > smoker how stupid it is to smoke. I'm not even trying to be a smart ass. I'm just very disappointed. I'm limited in what I can and cannot do and for being considerate I get abuse by smokers, everytime I try to protect my health. If I ask to be a bit more considerate towards me and/or my child, when I ask to blow smoke the other way or if I ask to switch places when I'm downwind from a smoker I usually get the same nasty remarks, bullying and/or cigarettes thrown at me. I'm not even asking them to put the damn thing out just to exhale in another direction. So what is wrong with smokers? Are they another class of human being? ..... Junkies! The lot of them. <anecdote> I went for a jobinterview. I was visibly pregnant at the time. The interviewer in front of me lit up a cigarette. I mentioned that I am a non smoker and pregnant. With a very broad and very sincere smile he said that he didn't mind at all and that it was no problem for the job he offered. I remember that I was totally baffled at the time and wondering if he was testing me. In the end I decided I didn't wanne work for an inconsiderate junky, test or not. I just hope he has had a major heart attack by now...... and I'm only half joking.... </anecdote> > If there is anyone who still smokes - please contact me offlist. The sooner > you e-mail me, the sooner you will be able to quit (I know you want to....). I really hope you get a lot of costumers for that offer. The only good smoker is a dead smoker!.... or a healed one.... that is.... the good smoker is the healed one, technically a non-smoker so well..... eh.... I better shut up now and get a praline or some other chocolaty thingy... ;o) I guess everybody's got some kind of addiction. Mine is just more jummy. Sonja
