The only other smells I can think of which I encounter during the day which are actually harmful (feet, underarms, bad breath, BO, etc., are not hazardous to your health), are, as you mentioned, exhaust fumes (from trucks, cars, planes, trains, generators, etc., etc.). Yeah, they suck just as bad as cigarette smoke, but dropping a bad habit is not as difficult as rebuilding the nation's infrastructure. Besides, exhaust fumes are the result of something beneficial (power generation, transportation, etc.) so I guess despite us all getting lung cancer, at least we're benefitting from what it produces. But I don't see how cigarette smoke is benefitting anyone (well, I guess it produces some kind of a pleasure for the person actually doing the smoking, which, in a sense makes that person kind of selfish).

And I guess, the answer would have to be yes, "that particular smell IS really THAT offensive." Mostly because as I mentioned above, the smell (and subsequent harm is due to someone else enjoying themself only, and benefitting no one other than him or herself.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by redleader
[B]And I guess, the answer would have to be yes, "that particular smell IS really THAT offensive."

 

having to use an elevator to get my car from garage to road - then 5 minute waiting for the traffic light to change - at least the engine warms up before you hit the street..

 

I hate it when someone gets out of my car and thinks thay really have to slam the door hard for it to close properly.

 

Transportation is a necessity in today's world. Cigarette smoking doesn't help anyone. It kills other people, and it kills the smoker themselves. It's basically a long, drawn out suicide. It's also quite repulsive and annoying coming home from a bowling alley and wreaking of smoke. My father smokes, and I remember going to piano lessons, where my teacher could tell he did because my books absorbed the smell! So yes, that particular smell is really THAT offensive.

 

I really HATE the smell of cigarette smoke. It is just a nasty smell.

 

But this doesn't make the "guy at the light" any less annoying. If a persons hates cigarette smoke, he's going to hate it no matter what.

Again, fossil fuels as it relates to the world's transportation and engery infrastructure IS a necessity. Until alternate means are successfully achieved (and they are being as we speak), we have little choice. But when they are achieved, I will welcome it with open arms. On the other hand, cigarettes serve no useful purpose whatsoever.

And if you read the words following my sentence on cigarette smoke being offensive which you quoted, you'll find it reads, "...and subsequent harm..." so no, its not just my attitude about it, but the fact that ir really IS offensive. And no, it could never ever fit the same category as BO, unless you can provide evidence that BO ever killed someone.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jay Li
[B]Transportation is a necessity in today's world.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DrasticTactics
[B]I really HATE the smell of cigarette smoke.

 

Good points made by all. My point, also made by your posts I think, is that many use both misapplied real science and pseudoscience to justify legislating against what is (in practice) merely annoying behavior. Hence the BO connection. That stoplight smell you hate isn't the smell of you actually getting cancer, is it? Remember, I'm not, in any way, pro-smoking.

The fact that smoking kills isn't really germaine, IMHO. I also think the useful vs. useless killer argument is weak. Just ask people with some severe mental disorders who find nicotine a valuable drug.

Annoying is in the eye of the beholder. Just ask Road-Rage-Minivan from our last Mid-Atlantic meet.

So my new pet peeve is laws against annoying behavior. Perhaps I'm off base even challenging someone's pet peeves. Tell me if you think so. I'm enjoying this thread, though.