No Smoking Please

Before you read through, let me issue a warning that what you will read is my opinion of smoking and of the smokers that I’ve been with and have seen.

I grew up asthmatic. Every year when I was young, I'd be absent from school for a week twice a year because of the change in seasons, which would in turn cause allergic reactions with my lungs. Due to the weakness in my lungs, I was asked to stay away from dust, pollen and smoke. It’s my Achilles Heel, the one area I try to keep strong because when that gives in, I'd be down and out for such a long time.

Everyday, as I go to and leave work, I pass through groups of smokers outside our building. Before passing through, I’d take a deep breath to avoid inhaling the air in the vicinity. To some people, this might seem like an over reaction. To me, I’m just trying to minimize the amount of smoke that gets into my lungs.

Before, I would periodically pass through Emerald Avenue in the Ortigas Central Business District to pay for a bill in one of the banks along the road. The sidewalks on that road are usually filled with people taking their break, smoking. As I walk through, I usually have no choice but to inhale the smoke-filled air. Even on a windy day you can smell the smoke in the air.

There is something about many of the smokers I see. Many of them don’t seem to understand how seriously people need clean air so they let the smoke drift to an area where people may breathe it. Many don’t seem to care enough to keep their smoke away, even from babies and the older folk. Many of them just throw their cigarette butts on the ground as if they were organic and biodegradable.

This is why I appreciate organizations that make their areas smoke-free areas to promote clean air. I also appreciate organizations that designate areas for smokers that are well away from the non-smokers. I appreciate those smokers who move away when they know there are non-smokers around. And I fully support government efforts to ban cigarette ads and increase sin taxes on cigarettes.

To all the smokers that took the time to read through this, I hope you understand where I’m coming from. Peace!