Seeing Through The Smoke

Special Contributor Lloyd Garver Pleads For Compassion For A Downtrodden, Often Overlooked Minority

(CBS)  We see them almost every day. They're outside in the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter. We usually avoid talking to them. We rarely make eye contact. They are often either by themselves or huddled in clumps in front of office buildings or restaurants. They're hard to avoid in most downtown areas throughout the country. If we sneak a peek at them, they often look ashamed, so we look away and keep walking. Rarely do we even say "hello" to them. Isn't it time we stopped treating them like this? They are somebody's sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. Let's show some compassion and stop treating them as pariahs — just because they smoke.

Smokers have become today's lepers, and it just doesn't seem fair.

Let me state my attitude about smoking right here. I hate it. I hate breathing somebody else's smoke, and I really hate smelling smoke on my clothes. I'm happy that so many places are smoke-free today. I'm thrilled that I don't have to worry about somebody smoking a cigar at the next table in a restaurant or lighting up at a business meeting. I'm appalled by what "Big Tobacco" has been able to get away with. And I hate that actors and other "role models" smoke in their photographed "private" lives and on the screen.

Many of you share these feelings. Too many of us have lost loved ones because of smoking. We are dumbfounded that people still smoke despite the undisputed medical facts about it.

But just because we hate smoking doesn't mean we have to hate smokers. We've all learned over the past few decades that alcoholism and other addictions are diseases. Research has shown that compassion and treatment should be involved with people who suffer from these diseases. An addiction to smoking is a disease, too, so where's the compassion for smokers?

Can you imagine treating people who had any other disease the way we treat smokers? We don't force people with high blood pressure to only hang out with other people with hypertension in front of office buildings. We don't look at people with high cholesterol with the same disdain we have for smokers. We don't abstain from smiling at people with ingrown toenails.

It's not the smoker's fault that smoking exists. So why aren't we picketing the tobacco companies' offices instead of turning our backs on smokers? Why aren't we boycotting movie studios that show smoking in a positive light instead of walking past smokers as if they don't exist? Why aren't we campaigning against politicians who keep helping the tobacco industry instead of feeling superior to those who smoke?

It's because smokers make a more visible target. We don't see tobacco executives, politicians, or movie moguls every day. So we take out our anger, outrage, and disgust on smokers. Some of us view those who smoke as though something is wrong with them as people. I can't be the only one who has met somebody, liked them, and then become surprised to find out that anyone so intelligent and nice could be a smoker.

It's time for these unfair attitudes to change. I'm going to try to treat smokers differently. When I see them outside of a building, puffing away, I'm going to say, "hello." Or at least, I'll nod my head in a friendly smile. I'm going to try to be less judgmental of people who smoke and I encourage you to do the same — no matter how bad their smoke smells.

Again, we don't treat people with other addictions this way. Our society has come to view those with all kinds of addictions as people with a problem, not as bad people. There are people addicted to shopping, to pornography, to the Internet, to eating, and to gambling, and we don't shun them.

Suppose you were on your way to work, and there was the usual clump of people outside your building. But instead of smokers, what if they were sex addicts? I guarantee you people wouldn't try to ignore them. Everybody would stop and say "hello" — among other things. Many people would be so interested in meeting the sex addicts that they probably wouldn't even make it into the building to work. Shouldn't we have the same compassion for those who can't "just say no" to cigarettes as we have for those who can't "just say no" to anybody?

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Lloyd Garver has written for many television shows, ranging from "Sesame Street" to "Family Ties" to "Frasier." He has also read many books, some of them written by smokers.

[dallison7]

This has become the world of Bizzarro!

We are told we should be tolerant of a man who puffs on another man's wiener, but not tolerant of a man who puffs on a cigar!!

[rafterman1]

Because the guys puffing on each other's weiners affect only themselves. Smokers affect everyone around them. No one wants to breathe that ***.

[kaiyo4u]

Next time I light up outside and you come within smelling distance, move upwind. I was there first. Whatever happened to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? I know you're going to say it's bad for me and it will kill me, but with all of liberal whining so called tolerantists making the world a miserable place where there are no more freedoms... why would I want to hang around here any longer than I should? When you have no ethics to stand firm on and you blame me for your plight, you should look in a mirror...

[toldyouso21]

The writer has a point, But there is another side. Like obesity, a lot of the intolerance for smokers or other drug users is that they are NOT really diseases but disorders. Diseases are something you catch or are due to a change in ones body---usually NOT something under one's own control. Smoking, doing drugs, obesity, alcoholism are all illnesses that people deliberately partake in, seek out and then become addicted. When the insurance rates go up, or people breathe second hand smoke or have to care for smokers (again, like obesity or drug addictions) the people who were disciplined and smart enough NOT to indulge end up paying the price along with people who only thought of themselves and temporary pleasures. There is bound to be resentment, frustration, anger and a lot of sadness over that. My parents were both smokers and though they quit over 25 years ago, both died of lung cancer within the past 2.5 years. Am I angry or resentful? No. Sad. yes. They grew up at a time that glorified smoking and I lived my formative years in the hazy aftermath of Pall Mall Reds and Golds. I do wonder though, given what we know--why the government does not make smoking a restricted drug and not allow new smokers to be created.

[toldyouso21]

Because the guys puffing on each other's weiners affect only themselves. Smokers affect everyone around them. No one wants to breathe that ***.
Posted by Rafterman1 at 07:58 AM : Apr 18, 200

Actually, if they do not practice safe ***, then they may affect more than themselves. The same goes for heterosexuals in this country--but in the 1980's AIDs was a problem primarily of the g@y community and it ultimately did affect us all. (the rates of HIV are rising--mostly among Teens and women and the African American community)

[toldyouso21]

Next time I light up outside and you come within smelling distance, move upwind. I was there first. Whatever happened to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? I know you're going to say it's bad for me and it will kill me, Posted by kaiyo4u at 08:23 AM : Apr 18, 2007

Other than your family and people who know you; I doubt most Americans CARE about what is bad for you--the reason people do care is that YOUR smoking is bad for the rest of us. Second hand smoke (that means just by breathing in smoke from a cigarette another is smoking) also causes lung cancer AND the high cost of taking care of smokers (emphysema, asthma, lung cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer, heart conditions etc) means all of our insurance rates go up due to the illnesses of smokers.

So on a very real level--your "private little problem" is everyone elses--and people do not feel they should have to suffer, be at risk of certain diseases or pay for the selfishness and stupidity of others. It really is pretty simple.

[amayored]

Pity me the smoker? Don't waste your time. I enjoy smoking and I don't need your sympathy, quick smile or greeting. Don't think smoking is healthy for people? Get in your car and drive this planet into extinction with your oversized carbon footprint!
Leave me alone!

[kaiyo4u]

Second hand smoke (that means just by breathing in smoke from a cigarette another is smoking) also causes lung cancer AND the high cost of taking care of smokers (emphysema, asthma, lung cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer, heart conditions etc) means all of our insurance rates go up due to the illnesses of smokers.
Posted by toldyouso21 at 09:18 AM : Apr 18, 2007

The next time you get a lung full of bar-b-que smoke or vehicle exhaust don't cry second hand smoke...
Every minute of every day you are breathing some form of toxin which will adversly affect your health...
The examples above are just a minute portion of everything out there. This is especially true of those who live in the city, work in office buildings and commute.
If you sheep would think for yourselves and wonder why physicians still call their vocation a practice, then maybe you would see a little clearer.
Everything is still theory, based on what evidence they have collected, not the full evidence that would bring all factors into light...
Please don't say I'm not educated... I base my opinions on evidence that I have researched myself, which includes as much evidence from all psooible factors.

[grumpas]

I could go to the Grocery Store today and a crazed gunman could start shooting! I could get killed on my way to work from someone running a red light! I could go to the Bank and someone rob it and shoot me in the head because I am an old lady who doesn't move fast enough! The point here is that are a dozen different ways we can die each day! In a world that is as polluted as ours currently is the last thing I worry about is someone's second hand smoke!

[actornaught]

firstly, for the first commentor, you didn't read the article to it's conclusion, it's a SATIRE, and you stepped right into it. you were probably in a hurry to get your fix. but go ahead, go outside and 'smoke weiners', you'll be Mr Popular in jail...

secondly, the real problem this article might be addressing is that a few of those smokers outside have a totally ignorant stubborn attitude about their addiction. there's something to that connection, but if they won't deal with it, why should i care.

thirdly, for those you that are smokers, do your kids a favor and keep it as far from them as possible.

[rharrin1]

I as a smoker get tired of hearing all the bullsh*t about smoking.
I wish they would ban all tobacco products in the united states, then the government wouldn't have to subsidise the tobacco industry.
Do any of you people realize how much tax there is on one pack of cigarettes, without the revenue ( tax ) everybody could join in and help make up the difference the government no longer receives.

[rharrin1]

kaiyo4u

It is not just liberal it is left and right and in between.

[jimfinster]

Even a slightly intelligent person knows that smoking is deadly. Guess the addiction is so strong that they can't stop.

I saw smoking kill my mother and 2 uncles. They never considered quitting, in fact they smoked until their final days in Intensive Care...

[taddles-2009]

um...I can't think of any other addiction that directly affects those around you. Smoking isn't a disease, it's an addiction. It's not something that was afflicted upon you without your consent, it's something you did to yourself and you get to live with the consequences of that choice.

Smoking directly impinges on other peoples health. I'm a reformed smoker but If I were still smoking I would just suck it up (so to speak) and head outside with my fellow addicts.

[tejasdemo]

I quit but my wife still smokes. In my car. In her car. She lies about it. She only smokes about 4 puffs off each cig and then puts it out.

It's a disgusting smell. It costs a ton of money to smoke. Money we need to support ourselves.
Just kills me that she wants me to eat a frickin pb sandwich for lunch and then goes herself and globs downs a taco bell and then a 4 puff smoke.

Hypocrit !

[lawandorder6]

I got news for all of you. There are a ;pt of things that you are around every day that are going to kill you faster than second hand smoke, and NO I don't smoke. If you work in a plant that is manufacturing a product, the only reason you don't read about it is money.

[actornaught]

lawandorder6, that's not a logical argument in any sense to permit something as poisonous, and used to be so stupidly pervasive as smoking. By far we are better off without tobacco in public.

A fine next step to take is to ban smoking around kids, and the sooner the better.

[lawandorder6]

actornaught, The only thing wrong is YOU. I really don't care how you think. What I said is true and youe kids have a lot more to worry about tham smoke, one is YOU.

[actornaught]

By YOU, i'm sure you mean the 80% of americans that aren't addicted to tobacco.

But it sounds more like you really don't much care about law&order after all.

[susanhelit]

It's not because we hate smokers, it's not because they stink. It's not because we dislike them as addicts.

It's because breathing their smoke hurts us! Illnesses, difficulty breathing, lung cancer, etc. That's the difference between them and a high blood pressure patient - no matter how many deep fried twinkies that person unwisely eats, no matter how high the pressure, it won't impact my own health. Being around cigarette smoke will.

[tcoleman12]

This isn't a smoking or a health issue, it is a liberties issue. These hard-line groups that feel they know better than you how everyone should live their lives goes around having laws passed banning smoking in restaurants & bars.

Let the market place dictate whether people want to eat in a smoke-free environment(which many do). You don't have to force everyone to go that route.

Next thing you know they are going to start telling you what you can/can't have on the menu...oh, they already are. No Trans-Fats in NYC!!!

[kaiyo4u]

tcoleman12, I'm with you. It is a civil liberty issue... Why don't we make laws concerning what you can and can't wear in public? It is my right to smoke if I wish and I don't want any other to dispute my right.
It's really funny that these people leave out the folks who started smoking at 9 and 10 years old and lived to be 90+... It's called manipulating the facts... period.
It should be up to the establishment owner as to whether they will allow smoking or not. The government should keep their noses out of this as they are violating property owners rights...
It would seem that we should start a class action suit against each and every level of government for their irresponsibility in this issue and fine them heavily with the proceeds going to the owners who lost revenue as a result of the government's actions...

[tcoleman12]

What if these groups were to say that certain books were bad for children because they reference homosexuality? Or a guy should be kicked off the radio because he said a stupid comment about some girls?

Thing is, these things happen and people flip out because of the wrong reason. The book is fine unless it becomes required reading for students. But this group was Christians....Oooohhhh!

The "radio guy" probably would have lost his job anyway after losing the rest of his audience once he got back to work. But the station caved to these pressure groups.

[actornaught]

"It is a civil liberty issue... It is my right to smoke if I wish and I don't want any other to dispute my right."

No matter how much slack you cut smokers, they will ALWAYS abuse what privilages they're given. So they're losing them.

I'm starting to see that littering laws are being enforced at $100 a pop for tossing butts out of a car window. Good.

You have NO 'right' to smoke. Period.

But you're half correct, it's everyone's right to clean air, and that's the way things are going, thank God. If you have problems with the inevitable, well, get some counseling or something.

[kaiyo4u]

actornaught: So who are you? Mussolini, Stalin, or Hussein?
No right to smoke, if you level the playing field, you have no right to use your computer either, or drive for that matter... I don't throw butts out the window, I can't stand people who do, littering is littering, no matter how you cut it. Do you throw those McDonalds wrappers out the window when you are done with them...? I also smoke outside and field strip the butt the insure the fire source is out... I used to live where the laws were if you were found guilty of starting a forest fire negligently you were charged for all the board feet of timber that was lost in that fire...Makes you a lot more careful when playing with fire....You know what happens when you make generalizations... It's like when you assume... You should spell check with Word before you post...

[jimfinster]

kaiyo4u:

Why do you smoke? Do you want to quit?

[toolmangler-2009]

I smoked about 3/4 pack a day for nearly 60 years of my life, You know what is killing me? cirrhosis and I never drank even beer. I have quit smoking now and the liver is somewhat stable right now. Life comes at you fast, friend. Don't look back, it might be gaining on you. You concentrate on what you 'should' do, 'Not' what I shouldn't do.