Blackcat2,

You'll have to excuse me the comment that you quoted - I had a dreadful weekend, spent most of it hating the world and managed to offend several people here...

Now that I've calmed down, I have to say that us smokers don't feel superior, we are just sick and tired of being judged for a lifestyle choice that we've made. As lifestyle choices go, it may not be the most sensible in the world, but it's our choice.

I can understand the passive smoking arguement and try my best to be considerate in that way - given the way things are going it will soon become impossible for me to inadvertently cause you to inhale my smoke. That is fine by me; I'm starting to enjoy having to go outside for a smoke in social situations - it's an excellent excuse to avoid people you don't like.

What I find difficult to understand is the extent to which us smokers are despised and vilified.

We aren't lepers, we simply enjoy a habit for which you don't understand our rationale. Of course smoking may kill me, but so might lots of other activities. I enjoy it, am well aware of the risks, and have made my choice. Please respect that and don't give me songs, stories or personal recollections as to why my choice is wrong.

I wonder what response I'd get if I started a thread on being overweight, eating too much and not taking any exercise. I imagine the responses would be somewhat different.

Clare