"It's just part of the culture".

Like it wasn't part of the culture in NEW YORK? Ireland?

They killed this because they knew they could never enforce it. After sunset, the taxi smoking ban has been dead for awhile now.

Smoking is quite endearing. I respect the nihilism of smokers. Smoking is a permitted and very visible act of rebellion against life and the drive for success, happiness and optimism that life mandates. Heroin, cocaine, and even pot are illegal - alcoholism is looked down upon. But at least we can still say "F-U!" to self, existence, the future, and our family and friends with the old death rod.

I see smoking as an almost holy act. With the existence-detesting, anti-bourgeoisie elements seemingly in permanent, global, disgrace, smoking remains the last inarticulate sanctuary for critics of the fundamentals of life.

You've identified a contradiction in my statement - or at least a willful ignoring of fact on my part. Women smoke to show their power and drive. This contradicts what I think the role of smoking should be. I believe smoking should be an indicator of frustration with the human condition. It should be a commentary on the perpetual impossibility of achieving one's desires and dreams. "Since I'll never truly be the person I want, I might as well sacrifice my lungs, skin, voice, and scent." I believe this attitude justifies smoking.

If Chinese smokers shared my view of this activity, life in this country would be much more tolerable. It would be possible to have a meaningful dialogue with this country's hundreds of millions. How smokers can be upbeat about life defies my comprehension.

If the world's smokers agreed with my statements, life on the planet would be okayish.

They're not looking for any riots! The last one has already created enough headaches for them

Puh-lease

People smoke because they are addicted. That's it. They are not trying to convey some kind of message or anti-establishment image

I didn't say that this is why people smoke. Do not turn to the obvious and probably correct explanations.

I said that the world would be more tolerable for me if this were the reason for people smoking. And do not deny me my pseudo-intellectual pontificating, thank you very much - especially not on a Monday. I was trying to give the smokers an excuse to do what they do - an excuse that would be acceptable to me. Must every comment pretend to explain the world from the perspective of others?

Please show me the same courtesy that I show to the smokers. Rather than marching forth with the tired old anti-pseudo violence, find an excuse for my, at most, slightly irritating comments.

Yes, I am touchy. And no, on a Monday, I will not seek to examine the issues from a practical and logical standpoint. Can forums no longer be valid spaces for escapism on a Monday?

On a forum like this, a scourge against the pseudo-intellectual pontificaters will leave you with a motley assortment of pseudo-English speakers, pseudo-barbarians, and pseudo-tough guys of various stripes. My statements are pseudo-clever, at best.

People emjoy smoking because they enjoy feeding their addiction, satisfying their cravings.

I used to smoke, I know that feeling of finally getting a smoke after a long day. But can't honestly say I ever ENJOYED smoking. Who enjoys the smelly clothes, stained fingers, rough looking skin, bad breath?

I enjoyed satisfying my craving...

I disagree with you all, and would not be adverse to your deaths.

The "return" on smoking versus the damage done appears low compared to drinking or various drugs. This has always been my gripe with the activity. Perhaps heavy drinking and smoking have roughly equivalent long-term health effects, but drinking seems to bring more short-term happiness than smoking. I could smoke a pack of cigarettes and still feel miserable, but 3-4 drinks seems to always improve my mood.

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

i was just thinking 2 nights ago how nice it would be to have non-smoking restaurants, as I sat next to a guy who stopped eating for mid-meal smokes (across from his wife and young daughter)

Its possible he grinds the bones of children in to a fine powder and smokes them...but I doubt he smokes tobacco

yes!!!!

a victory for common sense.

what's the status on the hocking loogies ban?

Marco.......calm down...China is not free...

Seriously, non-smokers are the biggest, smuggest c*nts on the face of the earth. They should all be rounded up and put in a colony where they are forced to breathe clean air. Annoying bastards.

Never trust a non-smoker.

While we're at it, I f-ing hate people even more, who say 'I don't smoke cigarettes', with a knowing wink, like it somehow makes them sound cool. f*** off!