Smoking While Walking: An Annoying Habit

[BlueLights]

I have always hated the smell of cigarettes, and if someone sitting or standing close to me starts smoking, I immediately change my place. I am sure many readers are not fans of breathing toxic smoke, with my respect to those who are smokers. Indeed, people are free to do whatever they want with their health, smoke, drink, eat junk food, as they are well aware of the consequences of their habits. But when it comes to my health, why on earth should I breathe-against my will- the smoke someone else is letting out?

In this regard, something started to annoy me, a lot: People who are walking and smoking. Imagine you are walking in a street, going to work or simply enjoying a nice day, when someone passes by and suffocates you with their exhaled smoke. I have recently moved to a big city, so this has become a daily nightmare. Sometimes that Mr. or Mrs. Walking Smoker is right in front of you or behind you. I often succeed in evading the smoke by moving quickly, and sometimes I just inhale the stinky smoke- to the ill-fate of my own health.

I am sure many people will start thinking about the situation above while reading this take. Walking Smoking is, I believe, an underestimated danger to people's health. Whereas communities are urged not to smoke in malls, parks or any public areas, no one is talking about the form of public smoking discussed here. Everyone knows how dangerous it is to inhale cigarette smoke.

It may be difficult somehow to figure out a solution for this phenomenon. However, I believe that imposing a fine on walking smokers would work well. Another solution, though too simple, is to Stop and Smoke. At least in this case I can just see where the smoke is coming from and avoid it.

What do you think guys?

[CorvetteGirl]

I agree it's very annoying.
I cannot tell you how many times I've had to just stop breathing so I wouldn't inhale the smoke or just run. I lost count.
This afternoon I was on my way home and my neighbor was smoking so I had to walk faster while holdin my breath. Thankfully I have a good lung capacity.
I don't care if people smoke or not. I just don't want to smell it.

[Fathoms77]

"Indeed, people are free to do whatever they want with their health, smoke, drink, eat junk food, as they are well aware of the consequences of their habits."

They'd be free to do this if the rest of the country wasn't shouldering the medical bills to care for them. If they paid for every last one of the medical costs associated with a crappy lifestyle, by all means, do whatever you want. But when I and everyone else must find a way to pay for you - in the world of socialized medicine, this is how it works - it's absolutely my business; it's everyone's business.

[Flurr]

If they are behind you then you don't inhale any of their smoke, if they are in front of you then slow down for 2 seconds and they will be far enough ahead it won't get to you or walk faster and get in front of them. What I hate and you can't avoid is when they pass you by and exhale smoke in your face, I've almost gotten into a handful of physical altercations because of these particular assholes.