>Thomas
>
>Those who feel aggrieved about not being able to smoke where they like, might consider how they'd feel if a subset of society decided it is essential to release extensive foul flatus at will, without concern for others who might be eating in restaurants or in enclosed spaces.
>
>Consideration for others used to be considered an important part of society.
>
>Regards
>
>JR

John;

I have never met a polite smoker. Perhaps I just came in contact with the scum of society. Every time I have asked a smoker to “please stop smoking” or “could you please move” I have been met with an increased amount of smoke which has been on occasion blown in my face. It was especially bad when I was with my family at a nice restaurant and someone at another table would take out a cigar and blow the smoke at me. This happened twice. Neither the smoker or manager was interested in changing the situation so I told the managers I would never return and kept my promise. In both cases the smoker turned his chair 90 degrees towards me to face me and was less than three feet distance.

The fact that smokers are addicts and have a powerful lobby in Washington D.C. does not change my mind about smokers or smoking. I feel sorry when I hear someone has lung cancer and do not fault them for smoking. I have a friend who is a world famous musician and never smoked in his life. He played for years in nightclubs in France, Argentina and the United States. The smoke was very thick in such environments. My friend was diagnosed with lung cancer and has been in and out of Stanford Medical Center several times. He cannot go near a place where there is any time of smoke without feeling the effects.

So I must say that the smokers I have meet are obnoxious, belligerent, self serving and indifferent to reality. I get a kick out of hearing a smoker say, “I am going to quit smoking! Just as soon as I finish this pack”!

Tom