while i agree the odds against living longer as a smoker are not good, none of us knows when we might die. and if someone knowingly decides to engage in unhealthy behaviour (cigs, alcohol, other narcotics, oh and hey FOOD!), that's their decision. out of respect for others (not because of laws) and because i would like others to respect me (golden rule anyone?), i smoke by myself or by other smokers. if i walk down the street smoking, i try and keep my cigs on the opposite side of the sidewalk from passers by. i try and keep my smoke away from small children (although i have been around many parents who pay little to no attention to where their children are walking or what they are being exposed to and if a kid walks into my cigarette laden hand when i'm trying to prevent it, i fail to see how this is my fault).

my point is:

1. many people are inconsiderate about many things in this world, not just smoking. so don't lump those of us that try and be considerate with the rest. it's not smokers v. non smokers. it's people who respect others (or at least try to) v. those who don't.

2. some people go to far with trying to "sanitize" the world. it's the equivalent of using all those antibacterial products. some of the bad things that we are exposed to in this world, just might help us to learn and become better people. let everyone get there on their own time. i only ask that we all learn to respect each other more...