I'm a considerate smoker. I do not smoke indoors, even if I'm in a smoker's house and he invites me to. I do not smoke in cars, ever. I avoid smoking on watercraft whenever possible and if I have to, do it on deck on the downwind side.
I do not smoke near building entrances, even in pouring rain. I do not borrow umbrellas to smoke under. I smoke premium cigarettes so that the smoke does not cling to my clothing to the same degree that cheap smokes do. I use a mint, gum, or drink some sort of beverage with every cigarette to reduce the smell of smoke on my breath. I use ashtrays and butt bins whenever they are available.
I avoid tossing butts on sidewalks or lawns whenever possible. I bury my butts when I'm in the wilderness. I do not ever smoke in bus shelters unless I am deep in the boonies and totally alone. I use a reusable lighter (zippo) to minimize the trash from my habit. I do not ever toss empty packs anywhere except in the garbage.
I only ever smoke in my house when I'm recording, and only when I happen to be living alone (i.e. no roommate). I do not smoke within 30 feet of building entrances except in passing, like when I'm downtown and the only alternative is to walk down the center of the street. I blow my smoke away from my companions, regardless of whether they smoke or not. When I'm with people I don't know, I always ask if they mind me lighting up, and always abide by their preferences, and never make them feel guilty for it.
I always offer a smoke to people I don't know, always give smokes to anyone who asks, and always bum a light.
Perhaps the best of all, though: I'm working on quitting, have been for several years, but am not giving up. Currently I'm using a nicotine inhaler and have managed to cut smoking entirely except at work, where I can't quite quit due to the pressures and routines of the work that I do. I'm still trying, though.
Do I win a prize?
