I have never been one for cigarettes and just the smell that seems to linger in the air even after and then envelopes itself in your clothes has always bugged me. When I moved to San Luis Obispo and found out that it was the first city in the world to ban smoking from all indoor areas, I was proud to be living in a city that was combating those big tobacco tyrants. However my best friend and roommate is a smoker and to be honest, it doesn’t bug me at all.
She smokes only outside and Febreezes everything because she hates the smell of tobacco. If it were not for the ash tray outside you would never know about her habit. However not till after interviewing several veteran and student smokers after the expansion of the ordinance did I realize how maybe non-smokers were actually the inconsiderate ones.
Just walk to class with her I have heard the exaggerated cough of passing students or seen the intent stares that look as if the person is telepathically trying to put the cigarette out. Feeling uncomfortable, I asked her feelings about it and she said, “Being from San Francisco I’ve heard worse.” Several smoking sources mentioned being called “baby killers” and “cancer addicts.” They also agreed with that they couldn’t stand the odor, are outraged at people who smoke in front of their children and cringe when they see butts causing litter.
While many agreed with the new ordinance feeling that it would protect kids from building tobacco addictions, all they wanted was their rights to be respected. We all know the side effects of smoking or even being near a smoker, but many smokers said was that it didn’t seem like residents knew that they know that warning label the best.