Went to the grocery store today.....

[Katcandoo]

I am 7 weeks smoke-free, thanks to my Ego and the great folks here! In my state, there is no smoking within 20 feet of a public place. I went to the grocery store today, and as soon as I got out of the car and headed towards the store, I could smell it. Cigarette smoke! I looked around and spotted him - 30 feet from the entrance by the ashtray/designated smoking area. On the way out, I smelled it again; this time a woman smoking in that area.

When I smoked, I knew the smell carried, but I always justified it by saying yes, the smell carried but not the smoke so I wasn't hurting anyone with just a smell. Boy, was I wrong. The smell is horrid! Now I feel bad for subjecting family, friends and coworkers to the smell for so many years.

When I looked at those people outside the store, I wasn't angry at them. I actually felt sorry for them, because I used to be one of them - relegated to the outskirts of society to get my fix. I didn't try to approach them and offer a better option, because I know how defensive I was when I was a smoker.

I hope one day they will find their way to a smoke-free life when they are ready.

 

[ScottP]

One thing I have noticed is that the smell is far more noticeable by ex-smokers than those that never smoked. I know because I was a non-smoker until age 24 and had many friends that smoked and the smell never really bothered me much. Now that I have been a smoker and quit I find I notice the smell a lot more and it is less tolerable than it was before I ever smoked. I have also been around others who have never smoked and have smelled someone else smoking and made a comment about it and the never-smokers acted like I was smelling things that weren't there.

 

[RadarLuv1]

Smoke did not bother me in the least the other night. You can still smoke in restaurants and bars where I live. I guess there are just a crap-ton of smokers out here. Didn't bother me and most importantly I didn't want one. And no one gave to craps about my new, upgraded toy. :/

 

[Firestorm]

Sometimes when I walk by the smokers crowding around outside I smile because I feel good that I was able to kick the habit and I enjoy my electronic cigarettes and APVs so much more than I ever enjoyed the death sticks.

 

[Heavyrocker]

I HATE the smell of burning tobacco with a passion now.

 

[Equus5O]

The smell doesn't BOTHER me. I just SMELL it now. I always could smell it, on other people. When I was pregnant I was relegated to working in the records section. There's a window, with a slot in it. When people came up to the window, I would be overwhelmed with the smell of just smoked cigarette coming off of people through the slot in the window. WOW was that pungent! Now, I tell my husband all of the time that he freakin' stinks.

 

[AttyPops]

I HATE the smell of burning tobacco with a passion now.

My GF and I went out to a local shin-dig this evening. We took her car. She still smokes. Vapes sometimes, but smokes too.

Anyway, she put a cig in the ashtry when we stopped to "take a ticket" at the parking spot....

And good 'ole AttyPops (a former 30 year smoker) almost puked. I was waving the smoke off like a grumpy non-smoker. I don't usually do that. I try to be cool about it and mostly succeed. I felt bad about making her feel bad.... cars are such close quarters for that kind of stuff.

Anyway...I find allergies/reactions are worse now that I don't smoke. Go figure.

What a jerk. I try not to be too anti about it. Heck, that was me for 30 years....

Former smokers are the worst, they say. I try not to make that a true statement. Failed tonight.

 

[GPSTrucker]

I have been noticing the smell lately myself but I refuse to be one of THOSE ex-smokers. There are a lot of things on this planet that stink.