Addicition. Their addicitive need is more urgent to then than common respect for others.

I do but if I have to pay $8 for a cigar I will smoke it anywere I want.

I don't think they're all like that. I know many people who ask if its ok to smoke in front of me before doing it.

On the contrary, they do. They have to go outside of many places even in the middle of winter for example. Anti smoke Nazis on the other hand feel free to vent their bigotry everywhere. Let the mighty Billy Connolly put you and all of your assorted fascistic, small minded counterparts firmly in your place, as should be done whenever this sort of nonsense rears it's head:

i am a smoker and i have plenty of respect for others. but the world doesnt stop turning just because you dont smoke

Low self esteem should be the cause!

i smoke sheesha but respect and invite other smokers too.

I understand that, to a lot of people, smoking seems like something you do to be cool or to look tough. It's been certainly portrayed that way for many decades. But the truth of the matter is, that smoking, like drinking or drugs or gambling, is an addiction. Like any other addiction, it's not something you can control in a normal manner, it's not like that extra slice of pizza you shouldn't have eaten, or those shoes you shouldn't have bought. Smoking kills and a smoker knows it, and still, they smoke. I am a smoker, and I am a very respectful person. I am aware of the consequences of my actions. I can assure you, disrespecting you is the last thing on my mind. If anything, I am disrespecting myself for not quitting. I have quit, twice and the second time was for 2 1/2 years. But, once an addict, always an addict. Morals and values, like respect, have nothing to do with the reason addicts are the way they are. I hope you understand, we don't mean to bother others. If there were smokeless cigarettes, I would be the first to buy them, because it is very annoying, to say the least.

Because they know they are going to die sooner than you.

I Used to smoke but dont now, and i have never found smokers to not be respectful. Its like saying people who drink beer have no respect to people who dont Alot of people dont have respect

I think it is unfair to make a general statement concerning smokers. I am against smoking and the harm that it brings to people in general but I am not against smokers who have become habitual smokers for their various reasons. I have a good friend who is quite considerate. He does not smoke at home or in our presence. He would normally excuse himself and make his exit when the urge to smoke becomes too urgent. At least he still allows us to breathe free.

I'm a smoker and I have total respect for non smokers. It's not fair of me to be blowing smoke at them. We are not all bad people.

its nothing like that..its just your mentality... their are many smokers dont they respect their spouse.... anyways if your partner doesnt respect you then y r u with him still...just tell him i dont be with people who dont respect me

Because all generalisations are false and non smokers aren't worth any respect.

I think that's a misperception. I think the truth is that courtesy is vanishing from American society. People increasingly adopt the view that, if they want something, they should just take it while they can - sort of like behavior at a pizza buffet. Smokers have been under siege for decades. They are taxed and trashed from every quarter, which is ridiculous when you consider for how long smoking has been practiced in this country, by how many people, and how many people still smoke all over the world. It is natural for them to be defensive about what they do. If they just smoke without asking, it may be because they think that anyone they ask will simply say No - not because they're allergic (though some people say they are when they aren't, because they don't have the courage to simply say, "I don't want you to smoke in my presence"), but because they just don't want it around them; and that's rude, too. Americans seem to have a problem with self-righteousness, a "holier-than-thou" attitude. I'm sick of it, personally; but I'm also realistic. It isn't going to change. In fact, I suspect it will only get worse. As societal problems multiply, the American response will be an increase in control: more laws, more restrictions, more penalties. Incidentally, I quit smoking for personal reasons nearly 3 years ago; so I'm not some smoker trying to justify my habit - as if I would need to justify it, which I wouldn't.

I have been on both sides of this. I quit years ago. Most smokers think they are being repectful of other people. They just dont realize how offensive cigarette smoke is to someone who doesnt smoke. I never did, Only until I quit do I notice how bad it really is.

I don't categorically group all smokers together as not respectful, but I would agree that there is a larger proportion of them that, do in fact, have little respect. They tend to not care if the smoke goes towards others or in their face. But I do have friends that smoke and are respectful.

Cause it's bitches like you that put a smoking ban on our state. It stirs around all that disrespect inside of us. Bet that's what you wanted to hear...haha Really I don't know what you're talking about. Sounds like you have beef with smokers even if they were kissing your ass. Not all smokers are disrespectful.

I don't know how true your question is but I read up on Natasha Richardson after she died. This woman was a big time cigarette smoker... I mean she described herself as a "smoking fiend". She had residences in New York and she was an active opponent of the NY State ban of smoking inside of restaurants. I mean, how silly is that.... If you want to eat in a fancy restaurant... just go outside and puff away. If you are a smoker and want to draw nicotine and other toxic materials inside your body, that is fine.. disrespect your own body, but don't subject others to this "second hand" poison. http://www.toutlecine.com/images/tag/0004/00046240-fumer-cigarette.html

Why is it that you feel the urge to make blanket statements?

I think before you know it everything that everybody does is going to offend everyone, thats all i can say

You just opened a can of whomp ass. I am a smoker. I do not smoke inside ANYWHERE and that I smoke is my business and no one else's. However, who said that lousy little freakin dogs were OK to bring into stores? Or that perfume dumped on someone to lazy to take a shower is OK? Or how about that bloke who thinks its OK to fart in public? What about the people who pollute MY air with their diesel vehicles? And if that weren't bad enough, tell me that you have never had a bonfire, use a gas powered lawn mower, talked on your cell phone LOUDLY in public, are one of those people who have "Invisible Fence" so your dogs can bark at and run at bikers and walkers. He who is without sin cast the first stone. When YOU are perfect and do not infringe upon the health or well being of another human (or animal) then you can whine all you want about the habits of others. Until then, work on yourself and stop trying to change others.

Cunning stunt just said everything I would have!

I don't care if YOU smoke. My issue starts when YOUR smoke enters into MY nose when "I" have chosen to NOT smoke. Most definitely ALL smokers are not rude but there are a FEW that are...they are the ones who think that since THEY want to smoke the non-smokers have to inhale.

I am smoker hopefully no for long I am quitting but, have respect for others and the environment. I don' smoke around childern. I don't smoke around adult who wish not to be around smoke. I would never discard my smoke on the ground or water.

I have respect for people, just not people who think they are better than me because they don't smoke.

Why are you bundling us all together? I have utmost respect for non smokers. You know I have people that irritate me too. But I don't bundle them all together and label them "NASTY". 1. People on cell phones in public places. Like elevators,waiting rooms,buses... 2. while driving, people who do their make up,shave,text message, cell phone, read, fool w/c.d.s, deal w/screaming kids... On it goes... 3. Loud people hurt my ears. 4. People who drive atv's through the beautiful quiet woodlands destroying the peace and eco-habitat. 5. People who have bad breath... eeewww...gag... 6. People who fart and belch loudly... disgusting... Well anyways, are you perfect? Have you never offended anyone? And if you havn't maybe you are not truely living? Maybe you need to loosen up? I would never say a word to the people I have mentioned. I accept it. It's called people... It's what we are. We are not perfect. Yes we should try to be respectful. But for me to say for instance that none should be able to use the cell while driving would be ridiculous. It should be up to individuals knowing their capabilities or their own little quirks ... Like being gassy.. Why do they make it loud and laugh? I guess that's like the smoker who blows it in your face. What can you do? I think your question should be, why do people knowingly do rude, disgusting things in the presence of others?

It don't seems true!

Because they are selfish and don't care who they offend with their habit. If you ask a smoker not to smoke at your place, that same smoker will come all the way to your door with their cigarette and then put it out while blowing the last puff out of their mouth and into your home along with the smell of their cigarette before they put it out. Then during their visit if they are there about 15 minutes, they will want to go outside and have a smoke and sometimes think nothing about just throwing the butt in your yard. If you go to a restuarant, they want you to sit in the smoking section because they have to smoke. If you are allergic to cigarette smoke, they really don't care, they just want to smoke.

I was a smoker and i would always move somewhere else if i thought i was bothering someone, but if i was in a bar, i smoked wherever because i was in a bar. I mean i wouldn't blow smoke in anyone's face. I also know a woman that died of lung cancer from second hand smoke and that was because she lived with a smoker that smoked in their home...that makes a difference.

that is a ridiculous, rude question. not all smokers smoke around others. in fact, since public awareness has increased about the dangers of secondhand smoke, i rarely see smokers smoking indoors. heres a question for you ~ why is it that selfrighteous nonsmokers who drive cars (and thats a majority of the worlds population) dont own up to the fact that they belch out toxic fumes from their vehicles exhaust far, far worse and in much more copious quantities than the small amount of fumes coming from a cigarette? unless you ride a bike, take the subway, or ride a camel, you shouldnt be complaining.

wrong place

I think they just don't realise how offensive their little habit is to non-smokers. They like it, so they don't think that it can make other people around them miserable. I also think a lot of smokers have become militant about their habit because they feel under threat from changing cultural attitudes, the smoking ban etc. So they take out their feelings of persecution by aggressively asserting their 'right' to inflict their habit on others. My Mum was a smoker when I was growing up. Her smoking in my presence made a lot of my childhood sheer hell. She told me I was being stupid and to get over it. Now she is a non-smoker, she can smell cigarette smoke a mile off and finally realises how unpleasant it is and what she was inflicting on me. Most smokers just have no idea.

I think smokers have gotton better, but than again there is much more anti-smoking areas now.