The Smoking Toddler

June 1, 2010 9:09 AM

Video of a smoking toddler circulated on the Internet last week, turning him into a local celebrity. The Sun (UK) made some rather excited exclamations about the video. Salon asks Who's to Blame?

Original Youtube Clip. Extra footage.


More smoking kids from Facebook and elsewhere.

posted by Potomac Avenue (91 comments total)

Salon asks who to blame:

Well, let's see: his Dad gave him his first cigarette and buys all his ciggies.

Is the question really that difficult, or must we also equivocate that bad tobacco companies have so thoroughly brainwashed this simple fool that he can't understand that a 40 a day habit for a kid isn't a good thing?
posted by MuffinMan at 9:14 AM on June 1, 2010 [7 favorites]

oh, for pete's sake, just quit buying the kid smokes - he'll get over it - if he vomits, clean it up, if he bangs his head against the wall, move him away from it

quit letting a 2 year old kid push you around, mom and dad
posted by pyramid termite at 9:16 AM on June 1, 2010 [3 favorites]

Stupid kid.

Smoking's not cool until you're 8.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 9:18 AM on June 1, 2010 [9 favorites]

Officials have offered to buy the family a car if he quits.

Hrm. I have two toddlers and could use a couple of new cars....

I'm kidding. I'm kidding. Don't flame me. Please.
posted by zarq at 9:19 AM on June 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

There's the BOP I know and love!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:20 AM on June 1, 2010

If you are seeking support for the father being at fault, you can easily make this case. If however you wish to explore this issue, one could examine how much smoking is a part of the Indonesian culture. Moreover one could research what efforts have been made by the Indonesian government to provide public health campaigns to educate people about the potential health consequences of smoking. And yes, one could question whether tobacco companies have made any efforts to inform Indonesians of the dangers of smoking.
posted by ChicagoTherapyConnection at 9:21 AM on June 1, 2010 [5 favorites]

He's awesome at blowing smoke rings.
posted by chococat at 9:22 AM on June 1, 2010

Take that, Drew Barrymore!
posted by Houyhnhnm at 9:23 AM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

The Smoking Toddler was the name of the Irish pub where my grandparents met.
posted by bondcliff at 9:24 AM on June 1, 2010 [23 favorites]

I blame Lady Gaga and those fucking LARPers.
posted by everichon at 9:24 AM on June 1, 2010 [9 favorites]

A place where there are no bans on public smoking, no age limit on who can buy cigarettes, and a deep-pocketed, largely unregulated tobacco industry that can advertise on television and sponsor huge entertainment events seemingly at will

Man, I really hope they are talking about the early 50 to the 90s in America. Seriously, yes it's terrible that the kid is smoking, but when did we forget that Americans used to smoke everywhere. It seems that there has been a vast sea change in attitude over the past ten years. It's really fascinating, says the smoker who's trying to quit.
posted by khaibit at 9:24 AM on June 1, 2010 [6 favorites]

I have a nice pic somewhere of Japanese-style "claw" machines in Indonesia filled with their precious prizes: packs of cigarettes.

On reflection: I think you need to hit them before the jitters make winning impossible.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 9:25 AM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Metafilter: The site that doesn't condone cool videos of toddlers smoking.
posted by ecurtz at 9:25 AM on June 1, 2010

"Anyone familiar with British tabloids knows that nicotine-addicted tykes are their idea of a headline jackpot. The accompanying caption, "Tar baby," was certainly an inspired touch of "us vs. them" provocation. Isn't this wrong how they treat kids over there? Don't you feel angry, readers? "

I imagine a photographic survey of the consequences of US and UK bombing campaigns will yield all manner of smoking toddlers.
posted by CynicalKnight at 9:27 AM on June 1, 2010 [4 favorites]

Officials have offered to buy the family a car if he quits.

Bad idea, because once the kid turns three he's going to be guzzling bourbon, too, and do you really want a drunk three-year-old driving around Indonesia, blowing smoke rings out the window?

So do I.
posted by shakespeherian at 9:28 AM on June 1, 2010 [31 favorites]

Smoking is very common amongst pre-teens in less developed nations. Here's a photograph I took in Cambodia and another from Pakistan.
posted by gman at 9:31 AM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

How to break the smoking habit in a two year old:

Stop buying him cigarettes, then kill yourself.
posted by Malice at 9:35 AM on June 1, 2010 [3 favorites]

How the fuck does he afford them? They're worth more than gold, now.
posted by Henry C. Mabuse at 9:40 AM on June 1, 2010

The kid is also kind of um, obese. I notice that most people aren't pointing to this as a potential health risk, even though it may be just as dangerous as smoking as far as long-term health is concerned. Maybe that would hit a little too close to home.
posted by duvatney at 9:41 AM on June 1, 2010

"Aha -- caught you! Now, young man, as your punishment, you're going to smoke this entire pack!"

*toddler starts cutting off filters*
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 9:44 AM on June 1, 2010 [5 favorites]

ChicagoTherapyConnection: And yes, one could question whether tobacco companies have made any efforts to inform Indonesians of the dangers of smoking.

But why would they do that unless they were forced to by the government?
posted by desjardins at 9:45 AM on June 1, 2010

What is sad is that he looks much cooler smoking than I ever did.
posted by zzazazz at 9:45 AM on June 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

To be fair, Aldi is a lot more debonair and jaunty than most obese North American toddlers.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:46 AM on June 1, 2010 [12 favorites]

As khaibit points out, all the points regarding advertising, no age-limit on buying and parents smoking were true in the US not that long ago, yet one didn't see smoking toddlers everywhere.
posted by dabitch at 9:46 AM on June 1, 2010

Is the question really that difficult, or must we also equivocate that bad tobacco companies have so thoroughly brainwashed this simple fool that he can't understand that a 40 a day habit for a kid isn't a good thing?

Obviously the father who gives his kid cigarettes is directly responsible, but does the blame really end there? Why does the "simple fool" not understand that a 2 pack a day habit is dangerous? Of course tobacco companies share the responsibility. I would guess that the lack of regulations and aggressive advertising have greatly contributed to the view held by the father that smoking is not harmful.
The fact that many people are uneducated and unintelligent doesn't give corporations the right to exploit those traits to make profits off of deadly, addictive substances.
posted by Jeeb at 9:47 AM on June 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

As khaibit points out, all the points regarding advertising, no age-limit on buying and parents smoking were true in the US not that long ago, yet one didn't see smoking toddlers everywhere.

You didn't look behind the nursery school next to the basketball courts.
posted by spicynuts at 9:51 AM on June 1, 2010

Salon asks Who's to Blame?

Really?
posted by 2N2222 at 9:51 AM on June 1, 2010

kids smoking was not uncommon in the early 1900s in america. i think they generally let them get out of diapers first, but 6 year olds, 10 year olds, all the uncool kids who didn't start at the right time (that would be 8) were lighting up & it wasn't an unusual sight.

and this is from a 1970 report:
Age at 1st Cigarette %age of Total Who Ever Had Smoked
8 years or under 14
9-10 years 14
11-12 years 27
13-14 years 30
15-16 years 12
17-18 years 2
Don't know/no answer 1
posted by msconduct at 9:52 AM on June 1, 2010 [3 favorites]

As khaibit points out, all the points regarding advertising, no age-limit on buying and parents smoking were true in the US not that long ago, yet one didn't see smoking toddlers everywhere.

Obviously a missed, lucrative marketing opportunity for Philip Morris, et al.

"LOSE YOUR BABY FAT WITH VIRGINIA SLIMS"
"BENSON & HEDGES: THE TODDLER PACIFIER WITH TASTE AND CLASS"
"IS HE A MINI-MARLBORO MAN?"
"MAKE THE TERRIBLE TWOS, THE TERRIBLY KOOLS"
posted by zarq at 9:54 AM on June 1, 2010 [10 favorites]

Kid #3: My Mommy says smoking kills.
Nick Naylor: Oh, is your Mommy a doctor?
Kid #3: No.
Nick Naylor: A scientific researcher of some kind?
Kid #3: No.
Nick Naylor: Well, then she's hardly a credible expert, is she?
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 9:58 AM on June 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

You jerks can snark and librul hand-wring all you want, but one of these days we're all gonna be answering to that kid.

I for one plan to get in on his good side now before he enters his "Lil Ze" period.
posted by Senor Cardgage at 9:59 AM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Isn't it also kind of a fire hazard? I'm too grossed out by this to watch the video to find out whether he lights his own butts. Either way, though, I wouldn't even let a kid carry around a cigarette. I have this thing against fire hazards.
posted by theredpen at 10:00 AM on June 1, 2010

"JOE CAMEL SEZ, GO FROM BREAST TO THE BEST. INTRODUCE YOUR KID TO CAMELS TODAY."

"TOO MANY WET DIAPERS? REACH FOR A LUCKY INSTEAD OF A BOTTLE. TOASTED, TO KEEP YOUR KIDS DRY"

"20,000 PEDIATRICIANS CAN'T BE WRONG. PARLIAMENTS ARE BEST FOR YOUR BABY"


This is fun. :)
posted by zarq at 10:01 AM on June 1, 2010 [3 favorites]

Who's to Blame?

Anyone who clicks those links.
posted by flarbuse at 10:02 AM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

The kid is also kind of um, obese. I notice that most people aren't pointing to this as a potential health risk, even though it may be just as dangerous as smoking as far as long-term health is concerned.

Right, and then there are all those deaths from second hand eating.
posted by ethnomethodologist at 10:06 AM on June 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

ONLY BABIES SMOKE CANDY CIGARETTES: YOU'RE NOT A BABY, ARE YOU?
posted by Nelson at 10:07 AM on June 1, 2010

Right, and then there are all those deaths from second hand eating.

Shit, I didn't even want to eat the first hand.
posted by shakespeherian at 10:12 AM on June 1, 2010 [14 favorites]

This kid is going to be mainlining dope by the age of four and the baddest little mother fucker in rehab by 6.
posted by The Straightener at 10:18 AM on June 1, 2010

ethnomethodologist: Right, and then there are all those deaths from second hand eating.

CAN WE PLEASE STOP TALKING ABOUT THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE??
posted by desjardins at 10:21 AM on June 1, 2010 [9 favorites]

CAN WE PLEASE STOP TALKING ABOUT THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE??

You hadda go there, huh?
posted by zarq at 10:27 AM on June 1, 2010

Holy crap the little twirl he did was great. Man, I could watch that kid smoke all day, no wonder there was a crowd.
posted by paisley henosis at 10:36 AM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

You hadda go there, huh?

. . . thought the second guy in the Human Centipede.
posted by The Bellman at 10:38 AM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

THrow him in jail!
posted by Mister_A at 10:43 AM on June 1, 2010

This kid is going to be mainlining dope by the age of four and the baddest little mother fucker in rehab by 6.

This kinda reminds me of a problem a DM friend of mine had with his rpg group that had just gotten too-damn-powerful and entitled. He was looking for a creative way to, you know, restore the challenge. Well, they had a habit of pissing off powerful people (of course) so I suggested a kind of curse whereby they're reincarnated into existing, but very young persons elsewhere, with no trace of what happened to their original selves (along with all the possessions and strengths they'd come to overly rely on). We wanted to make the barbarian a toddler, but couldn't resist leaving that role to the wise-cracking, cynical, womanizing mage. Well, the players loved it, and true to form, the mage immediately took up pipe-smoking and bad mouthing his parents, which led directly to an attempted exorcism before he was able to make his escape and search out the rest of his party who were other kids scattered around the neighbourhood.

What I'm saying here is: be careful -- that kid may be an arch-mage. It may be dangerous to try to take that pipe-weed away.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 10:43 AM on June 1, 2010 [4 favorites]

He should pair up with Conrad and do an experimental smoking human ventriloquist act.
posted by ob at 10:47 AM on June 1, 2010

I wonder if the parents would have bought cigs for the kid if it were a girl ?
posted by selton at 10:53 AM on June 1, 2010

Can someone make sure to update metatalk when this kid's obitfilter is posted?
posted by cjorgensen at 10:56 AM on June 1, 2010

Second-hand eating is actually not a bad way to describe it. Kids learn how to eat from their parents.
posted by duvatney at 10:57 AM on June 1, 2010

posted by dabitch As khaibit points out, all the points regarding advertising, no age-limit on buying and parents smoking were true in the US not that long ago, yet one didn't see smoking toddlers everywhere.

You've Come A Long Way, Baby!
posted by mattdidthat at 11:03 AM on June 1, 2010 [4 favorites]

Perhaps this thread could eat duvatney.
posted by jrochest at 11:21 AM on June 1, 2010

Used to see five year old kids smoking in the Yi minority villages we did projects in when I worked out in the sticks in south-west China. They'd never go twos up either, the tight wee feckers.
posted by Abiezer at 11:26 AM on June 1, 2010

Smoke 'em if you got 'em.
posted by stormpooper at 11:37 AM on June 1, 2010

Gotta love the guy at the airport who taunts the kid with a cigarette. Humanity at its finest!
posted by biddeford at 11:43 AM on June 1, 2010

I blame Dinosaur Jr.
posted by Sailormom at 12:22 PM on June 1, 2010

I'm sure everyone's seen the "Mommy smokes Marlbros ad from the 1950's or whenever, featuring babies.

Man, I really hope they are talking about the early 50 to the 90s in America. Seriously, yes it's terrible that the kid is smoking, but when did we forget that Americans used to smoke everywhere. It seems that there has been a vast sea change in attitude over the past ten years. It's really fascinating, says the smoker who's trying to quit.

I think a big part of that is just the realization that, once you're not around smoke for a while you realize how bad it smells. It used to be that when I went to bars I'd have to leave my clothes outside for a couple days, since they smelled so... strongly. I don't know if cigarette smell is intrinsically revolting, but once you associate it with something 'bad' in your mind it's so strong and, it lasts for a long time that it really gets obnoxious.

Then they banned smoking a couple years ago and it was like a revelation. I went to a club that used to be hyper-smoky and I didn't even think about it at first. Then when I realized the difference it was a revelation.

People who advocate for bans often talk about the health effects, but I don't really think that has much to do with it, honestly. A lot of it is just the smell.
posted by delmoi at 12:36 PM on June 1, 2010

Do you think the woman interviewing Mulyadi in the video actually understands what he is saying, or just has the pad and pen for effect?
posted by snofoam at 12:40 PM on June 1, 2010

I think there is a lesson we in the USA can learn from this, we who are so convinced that this is awful and terrible and the parents are bad et al: how many of us are giving our pre-kinder kids food with partially hydrogenated oils, or with corn syrup as a majority ingredient? How many of us are giving our children huge amounts of enriched white flour products covered in processed cheese food, and letting them wash it down with soda?

Far too many of us, that's who. Even when we know something is "harmful" to our kids, we live in an environment full of these harmful -- but readily-available, convenient and heavily-advertised -- foods, and we feed them to our children. That's the origin of the "whose fault is it" argument, as the parents are just grown-up kids who are a product of their environment (as are we all.)

Another lesson to be learned may be this: there is tremendous disincentive to buck the trends of your society, and we view advertising and packaging messages as part of that society. Given the scale at which those messages are funded and distributed, government intervention is one of our most important tools for effecting real, permanent change.

The example here is how we view smoking now, versus one hundred years ago -- yes, we now know about the dangers of smoking, but we've known about the danger for a long, long time. The real and permanent change in smoking habits we're witnessing in recent decades is the result (primarily) of government-mandated warning labels combined with effective government-sponsored advertising campaigns (like "Truth".) Similarly, the government -- and, heck, your neighbors -- can talk about how certain foods are unhealthy, but until those messages are mainlined into the social consciousness using similar methods, real and permanent change is not going to happen.

Yes, parents can and should impact this for their kids, but as products of the same society, parents have to have successfully, independently bucked the trend themselves (and in the face of advertising methods that actively promote the ideal of parents as out-of-touch and clueless -- and so safely ignored -- it's getting harder and harder for parents, and for the kids they once were, to do that.)

So at the end of the day, you can liken this video to one in which a toddler is eating cheetos and drinking a soda. Would many of us be disgusted? Sure, but not at the level we are about a toddler smoking -- and many of us would not be disgusted.
posted by davejay at 12:43 PM on June 1, 2010 [4 favorites]

Poor Baby.

He's not that much older than Baby Zizzle. I can't imagine.
posted by zizzle at 12:46 PM on June 1, 2010

What can you say? Stupid parents have a stupid baby. He'll probably not make it past age 7 at that rate. Whatever. There's to much to get outraged by these days , I can't be bothered with some hicks who can't stop a 2 year old from smoking.
posted by Liquidwolf at 2:11 PM on June 1, 2010

People who advocate for bans often talk about the health effects, but I don't really think that has much to do with it, honestly. A lot of it is just the smell.

Speaking as a non-smoker who more or less wishes that people were only allowed to smoke in their own homes with all the windows shut: I talk a good game about public health, secondhand smoke, and safe and healthy working environments, but even if all of those arguments bottomed out, I'd still support smoking bans simply because cigarette smoke fucking stinks to high heaven. If you're a smoker, you really don't know how gross it is for non-smokers. (Cue the libertarian smoking-rights arguments about how CAR EXHAUST IS BAD FOR YOU TOO SO MAYBE IF I HAVE TO STOP SMOKING THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE TO STOP DRIVING and I DON'T LIKE SMELLING PEOPLE'S B.O. ON THE SUBWAY SO MAYBE THE NANNY STATE SHOULD JUST FORCE EVERYONE TO USE IRISH SPRING.)

Stupid parents have a stupid baby.

And, as we all know, stupid babies need the most attention.
posted by hifiparasol at 2:38 PM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Now I know where Archie McPhee got the idea for this.
posted by mr vino at 2:44 PM on June 1, 2010

So at the end of the day, you can liken this video to one in which a toddler is eating cheetos and drinking a soda. Would many of us be disgusted? Sure, but not at the level we are about a toddler smoking -- and many of us would not be disgusted.

I suspect if someone Photoshopped the cigarette out of that video and put in a Cheeto, it wouldn't be Hilarity Central in here.
posted by gnomeloaf at 2:47 PM on June 1, 2010

Re: child smoking in the past in the US: I can only submit this as a data point, a Merrie Melodies cartoon from the 30s that used to simultaneously creep me out and confuse the hell out of me as a kid. In it, a cloud with the voice of Cab Calloway sings a song to stop young Porky Pig from smoking, because among other dangers he might "get a tummy ache". So I guess children smoking was common enough that a moral-message cartoon was made about it.
posted by DecemberBoy at 2:49 PM on June 1, 2010

If you're a smoker, you really don't know how gross it is for non-smokers.

Oh, sure I do. I know because of how often people like you take the trouble to publicly shame me with a loud, self-righteous "KAFF-KAFF" when walking past, even going out of their way to walk by me and thus be totally grossed out by me so they can have their little smug victory. I might also note that the people who do this are more often than not disgustingly fucking obese and will probably keel over from heart disease long before my horrible second-hand smoke affects them, and that there are no crushingly addictive substances in malomars.
posted by DecemberBoy at 2:56 PM on June 1, 2010 [8 favorites]

>If you're a smoker, you really don't know how gross it is for non-smokers.

Oh, sure I do. I know because of how often people like you take the trouble to publicly shame me with a loud, self-righteous "KAFF-KAFF" when walking past, even going out of their way to walk by me and thus be totally grossed out by me so they can have their little smug victory.

Actually, no, you don't (no more than a fish knows about water, and for the same reason).

When you get on the elevator at work with me or when you walk past me in the hall, what you see is me nod, smile, and say "hi" or "good morning". What you don't see is inside my head where I'm thinking "good lord, how does this person not realize how revolting they smell? Do they really not know that a cloud of foul odor is trailing several feet behind them?"

It's only when you can't see me, because you already got off the elevator before I ever got on and it still reeks perceptibly of stale tobacco smoke that I cough and wave my hand in front of my nose.

I might also note that… there are no crushingly addictive substances in malomars.

True, nor has a Mallomar wrapper ever caused a forest fire, nor does having somebody sit next to me while eating a Mallomar make my hair and clothing smell bad. And as a bonus, one rarely hears Mallomar eaters try to portray themselves as a beleaguered minority. Mallomars for the win all around!
posted by Lexica at 3:33 PM on June 1, 2010 [6 favorites]

Yes, this is shocking and horrible, but there's another side to this, right? I mean, look how cool and sophisticated he looks!
posted by infinitywaltz at 3:48 PM on June 1, 2010

Lexica, one day you'll realize that your display of disgust at the smell of cigarettes does nothing but encourage more smoking. You may not like that it is not your desired effect, but it really does happen that way.

Many times a day millions of smokers get together in whatever places they can congregate, and have meetings where nothing but smoking occurs. Every time they meet, they talk, enjoy themselves, and wash away any ill feelings non-smokers have sent their way. Their social exclusion imposed upon them binds them together, and makes the case to join the opressors weaker. They seek each other out at parties, bars, workplaces, etc. to talk, and smoke together, away from those that dislike its presence. Strangers become friends and comrades, joined by fate against the increasingly oppressive ordinances of society.

If people want to stop others from smoking, there are far more effective ways to do so. As a smoker, I will never tell of those methods. Already, I have said too much.

We're meeting out back in 5 minutes, people.
posted by chambers at 4:24 PM on June 1, 2010 [3 favorites]

Also, toddlers shouldn't smoke, as their T-Zones are not fully developed yet.
posted by chambers at 4:31 PM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Oh boy. How can I reasonably justify posting the video of smoking boy to my Facebook feed not five minutes after posting this video?
posted by BoatMeme at 4:34 PM on June 1, 2010

Lexica, one day you'll realize that your display of disgust at the smell of cigarettes does nothing but encourage more smoking. You may not like that it is not your desired effect, but it really does happen that way.

Reading comprehension fail. Try rereading what I wrote — I'll even emphasize the relevant parts for you:

It's only when you can't see me, because you already got off the elevator before I ever got on and it still reeks perceptibly of stale tobacco smoke that I cough and wave my hand in front of my nose.

Got it? There are no smokers present when I express my opinion. Hell, there aren't even any nonsmokers present other than me, because that would be rude. As much as you might like this to be a case of the mean critical nonsmoker being horrible and judgmental to the poor oppressed smokers who've never done anything to hurt anybody else (well, aside from pumping toxins into the air with every puff, and tossing cigarette butts and wrappers on the sidewalk, and trailing clouds of foul odor behind them, and filling nightclub and concert venues with smoke so everybody else's hair and clothes also reek of smoke), it's not.

Don't let those "I am a member of a beleaguered and oppressed minority" sunglasses you're wearing interfere with actually reading the words on the screen.
posted by Lexica at 5:26 PM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

I'm just amazed he doesn't burn himself on a regular basis.
Couple of time there, it looked like he was going to bite the burning end.
posted by madajb at 5:28 PM on June 1, 2010

It's only when you can't see me, because you already got off the elevator before I ever got on and it still reeks perceptibly of stale tobacco smoke that I cough and wave my hand in front of my nose.

Heh, if you're the type of person who does this, believe me, everyone knows about it.
We are rarely as subtle as we think we are.

On the other hand, I agree with you for the most part, smoke-free environments are generally much more pleasant. However, I will admit that pipe smoke smells good to me (though that may be just a long-deceased Grand-Dad memory.)
posted by madajb at 5:34 PM on June 1, 2010

Yeah, get him off the smokes, that's a great idea guys. Toddlers are annoying enough, can you imagine one that is a reformed smoker? Why not have him reborn in the eyes of Christ as well?
posted by turgid dahlia at 6:15 PM on June 1, 2010 [4 favorites]

Anyway bbl guize I gotta pop down the Woolsworth for a pack of Camels and some Mum's Recipe chocolate pudding.
posted by turgid dahlia at 6:31 PM on June 1, 2010

Hipsters are giving babies cigarettes.
posted by drjimmy11 at 6:39 PM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Lexica,

As the child of a tobacchondriac, I feel qualified in stating that at least half of your symptoms are psychosomatic.

Tobacco is indeed pungent and addictive. It doesn't smell that great once it's stale. Walking by someone who is not currently smoking should not make you cough nor induce wrist spasms.

If your coworkers practice proper hygiene you might consider the possibility that you're slightly more insufferable than you realize.
posted by polyhedron at 7:43 PM on June 1, 2010

Tobacco is indeed pungent and addictive. It doesn't smell that great once it's stale. Walking by someone who is not currently smoking should not make you cough nor induce wrist spasms.

I'm asthmatic. Grew up with a father who smoked pipes, until my pediatrician demanded he give 'em up. Have a serious sensitivity to the smell of cigarette smoke. It triggers tightness of the chest in me, and invariably coughing, and I don't have to be around a lit cigarette to have it happen. The smell of cigarette smoke is one of the few asthma triggers I have, actually.

If your coworkers practice proper hygiene you might consider the possibility that you're slightly more insufferable than you realize.

There's some pretty deep irony in assuming you know how Lexica's body reacts to the smell of cigarettes (have you met her in person?) and your statement that she's "slightly more insufferable than" she realizes. Pot, meet Kettle.
posted by zarq at 8:26 PM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Lexica, one day you'll realize that your display of disgust at the smell of cigarettes does nothing but encourage more smoking.

Uh, she was describing a situation where she got into an elevator that you'd already got off of, running into the lingering stale smell. In that situation, you never see nor hear her reaction, so it does not in fact encourage more smoking.

Also, I agree that the KAFF KAFF type of reaction is annoying, but really -- if your motivation to do something annoying and obtrusive is even partially derived from the desire to annoy people, you probably could benefit from some introspection on that urge.
posted by davejay at 8:45 PM on June 1, 2010

I might also note that the people who do this are more often than not disgustingly fucking obese

Way to take the high road, dude.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 8:54 PM on June 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

I'm asthmatic. Grew up with a father who smoked pipes, until my pediatrician demanded he give 'em up. Have a serious sensitivity to the smell of cigarette smoke. It triggers tightness of the chest in me, and invariably coughing, and I don't have to be around a lit cigarette to have it happen. The smell of cigarette smoke is one of the few asthma triggers I have, actually.

I'm asthmatic, and grew up in the Sixties. I remember my father smoking in my room while I was having an asthma attack. I don't know if he was ever told that he shouldn't smoke at home, but I doubt it.
posted by jokeefe at 8:56 PM on June 1, 2010

I'm asthmatic, and grew up in the Sixties. I remember my father smoking in my room while I was having an asthma attack. I don't know if he was ever told that he shouldn't smoke at home, but I doubt it.

When my mom was growing up in the 50's, she had chronic asthma (still does), her parents smoked and no one ever told them to stop.

It was probably the late 70's when my dad was told to quit.
posted by zarq at 9:08 PM on June 1, 2010

I'll quit smoking when you take my cigarette from my cold, dead hands.
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 9:10 PM on June 1, 2010

I DON'T LIKE SMELLING PEOPLE'S B.O. ON THE SUBWAY SO MAYBE THE NANNY STATE SHOULD JUST FORCE EVERYONE TO USE IRISH SPRING.

I've taken to spraying my fellow passengers surreptitiously with Febreze.

OK, I haven't. But every once in a while it strikes me that some people could really use a spritz.
posted by zarq at 9:17 PM on June 1, 2010

I might also note that the people who do this are more often than not disgustingly fucking obese and will probably keel over from heart disease long before my horrible second-hand smoke affects them, and that there are no crushingly addictive substances in malomars.

*cough, cough*
posted by Sys Rq at 9:24 PM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

This blew me away. It never would have occurred to me that I'd see something like this.
I mean cigarettes are only two bucks a pack in Indonesia?!
posted by hypersloth at 9:33 PM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

if your motivation to do something annoying and obtrusive is even partially derived from the desire to annoy people, you probably could benefit from some introspection on that urge.

Or else you could sublimate those urges into a healthier activity - is there a Critical Mass in your city?
posted by UbuRoivas at 10:23 PM on June 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Critical Mass

Is that some kind of Dawkins thing?
posted by turgid dahlia at 10:59 PM on June 1, 2010

Previously, on Metafilter...
(kinda)
posted by clorox at 12:13 AM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]

It doesn't seem to have stunted his growth.
posted by MtDewd at 7:00 AM on June 2, 2010

even going out of their way to walk by me and thus be totally grossed out by me so they can have their little smug victory

It's not a smug victory, it's I don't wanna smell that shit. Smug is for when I ride my bike to work.
posted by everichon at 11:21 AM on June 2, 2010 [2 favorites]

Man jailed for letting girl [toddler] smoke

Just in case we were feeling superior to Indonesians
posted by dmt at 10:07 AM on June 3, 2010 [1 favorite]