Anti Anti-smoking

It's official. I'm tired of everyone telling me smoking is bad for me. The "Surgeon General's Warning" is pretty hard to miss, and--also official--I can read.

To the woman who cleans my offices, who noticed the distinct smell of tobacco when I returned from lunch, and who went in to a twenty minute rant about how she used to smoke and "everyone in [her] country smokes but it wasn't for [her]...," congratulations.

To my boss who yesterday started laughing as I stood outside my car because I don't want it to smell like an ash tray and said "isn't it funny that someone who smokes doesn't want their car to smell like it?" No, it's actually not at all funny. It means I bought a car, and I want to keep the interior cigarette burn free, and am a generally clean person. Just because I pollute my lungs with tar does not mean I want my clothing, furniture, and car to have an uncomfortable odor.

To the douchebag who lives in my building, came outside, told me I looked like "a girl who has it together," and then accused me of being the sole polluter of the precious 5 inch by 5 inch patch of grass outside the building where his children play--fucking take your kids to the playground. Or, better yet, save your money, find a house, get a mortgage and quit blaming me because I live on the first floor and am the only person you see consistently smoking. Even if I wanted to, there's no way I could take sole responsibility for the cigarette landfill that, because of your lack of involvement, is now the only place your kids can play.

To my friends who constantly roll their eyes and ask how many I've smoked today or when I'm going to quit or insist on giving me gum, your incessant questioning only encourages me further. Smoking is a choice just like where to eat or what to where. Several of you, and you know who you are, have chosen poorly with the aforementioned examples. My choice may be a poor one as well, but at least I dress well.

As for the restaurants and bars that have banished me to the outdoors for several years now, that's fine. I don't enjoy smoking while I'm eating either. But could you refrain from building that little smokers corral outside your establishment? Confining me to a small space with those little ropy, pedestal thingies, never providing enough room, doesn't do much to increase the likelihood of my return.

To all of you... I am anti anti-smoking and have heard enough. I know it's bad for me, I accept the fact that I'm wasting money, I'm aware of the risks and the social stigma, but I'm a happier person with cigarettes in my life. I'm not ready to quit, I don't want to quit, and boo to anyone that opposes.