Today, I walked past a few of my coworkers sitting outside smoking. As I got a whiff of the smoke, I coughed. They immediately started to defend their habit, and I was told to "mind my own fucking business." I wasn't trying to be rude; I'm actually allergic to cigarette smoke. FML
Collection
Halloween
A failed costume, stolen candy and a very real scare: Halloween, the one night when fear is allowed.
Today, I was walking down the street when I had a coughing fit. The next thing I know I'm being pushed about by a group of guys who were smoking, because they thought I was coughing deliberately to send them a message about smoking being bad. FML
Today, I was having a cigarette in a smoking area when a mother with a pram strode towards me and exaggerated a cough to make some sort of point. Reluctantly, I put it out and walked off. I then turned around to see her lighting up a cigarette, and blowing smoke all over her baby. FML
Today, my coworker told me that I needed to quit smoking because it was making me look and smell horrible. I've never smoked in my life. FML
Today, I was yelled at for smoking at a bus stop, because a woman didn't appreciate me smoking by her children. She did this while waving her own lit cigarette in my face. FML
Today, I found out that my neighbours are mad at me because I smoke. I don't smoke on the balcony, I walk away from the apartment complex so that they won't be affected by my bad habit. They're still mad at me because they can still see me. Didn't know that you could smell with your eyes. FML
Today, my future mother-in-law told me she thought I was severely allergic to cigarette smoke. That hasn't stopped her from chain-smoking around me for the last 3 years. FML
Today, while waiting for a bus, someone started smoking at the bus shelter, which is illegal in my city. I politely asked him to stop smoking, citing the city ordinance. He just cackled and said that if I'm so concerned about the state of my health, I should start by losing 90 pounds. FML
Today, I told the coworker who sits next to me that I don't smoke weed anymore, after she brought a spliff to work. I then got called into the directors' boardroom to receive a warning for smelling like marijuana at work. I was only allowed one more warning before they were due to fire me. FML
Today, I was at an outdoor market with my family. We'd had dinner and were about to leave when two women stood next to our table, smoking. We called out to let them know they could have it, as we were leaving. They thought we were complaining about the smoke. They yelled at us and stormed off, while the other tables stared. FML
Today, I went back to work after a horrible bout of respiratory illness. After a few hours of using hot tea, cough drops, and tissues to deal with my lingering cough, I found out that my asshole coworker has filed a formal complaint about me disrupting her concentration. FML
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Top comments
outerspacey 2
I get horrible migraines from cigarette smoke. It really shouldn't be allowed outside popular buildings like that.
DocBastard 40
You should just tell them that smoking kills. Because if they smoke around you, you'll kill them.
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Comments (185)
DocBastard 40
You should just tell them that smoking kills. Because if they smoke around you, you'll kill them.
wlddog 14
Are your pictures stuff you have xrayed?
DocBastard 40
Yes, though I will confess that my current profile pic is one of my colleague's patients, not mine. It was just too cool to pass up, though.
billyz77 24
Wow. That's one ****** up knee, doc!! Did it belong to a smoker who didn't pay his bill? :) jk
wlddog 14
That is awesome. Its too bad you cant show your checks for breast cancer. That would be hilarious.
Missy2612 11
you know.. with cancer rates so high, I find it odd that many people still smoke.
Bibliovore 26
#17, upwards of 90% of smokers start before they turn 18, and the bulk of the rest start before turning 21. In general, the younger someone is the less good they are about responsibly making long-term decisions; there's a reason cigarettes (etc.) aren't supposed to be available to minors. Trouble is, smoking's terribly addictive, and once someone has started, it's very hard to quit. Cigarette manufacturers know this and market accordingly, as far as the law will allow. A study from a number of years ago found that more 3-year-olds recognized Joe Camel than Mickey Mouse.
pradip 26
That's what smokers do if they think you're rude to them. If you kindly let them know smoking kills, they'll laugh at you calling you a wuss for not smoking. Either way it sucks.
TheNewGuy03 29
I've actually had people *encourage* me to smoke. They would quite literally tell me that it's good for me. I laughed in their faces.
CharresBarkrey 16
His statement wasn't discriminatory in the least. It wasn't even that negative. Get off your high horse.
WhisperSoflty 20
Giveadamn, sweetie. I've seen several of your comments on this FML, and you keep making completely illogical comparisons between smoking (optional, bad habit, and potentially deadly) and things like race (completely unrelated). Go take a nap (or smoke break ;P) or something, because even the smokers on here have said that you sound crazy.
WhisperSoflty 20
The problem you've run into, if that's the case, is that since you didn't make your intent clear from the beginning everyone has taken your words at face value. Thus, you're now the villain.
pedinhuh 23
How can someone defend the habit of smoking??? I mean, there's nothing good in doing it, it's just like using drugs. Burry my coment as long as you want, but thats just what I think of smoking.
Bibliovore 26
Nicotine IS a drug, and a highly addictive one. However, it's legal. There are (increasing) restrictions on its use, though, just as there are for alcohol.
TurquoiseJesus 15
25- I don't see what it being legal has to do with the issue. If doing heroin or meth were legal, would you be ok with people doing that on the street? Perhaps have meth breaks at work? Point I'm trying to make here, is if you need laws to determine what's right and wrong, then you're kinda screwed up.
Fsvb 32
@21 so do you also hate alcohol and unhealthy food like MacDonalds? No? Brilliant. These can also be addictive.
CharresBarkrey 16
Jesus, you can really pinpoint all the smokers in this FML.
CharresBarkrey 16
I feel sorry for you that you feel like you NEED smoking to help not let something bother you. That's a sign of a weak personality and weak mind. You know what I need? Nothing. I can calm myself down without needing substances.
CharresBarkrey 16
What's interesting is that I haven't once posted my personal view on smoking or IF I EVEN SMOKE. And you assume that I'm against it and attack me. Because anyone defending someone else must have the same opinions as them, right? And if their opinion is different, we attack, right? Plot twist: I was once a smoker.
CharresBarkrey 16
Ugh. I'm TRYING to have a decent argument, but you keep changing the subject.
Bibliovore 26
#60 -- Actually, I was merely responding to #21's "I mean, there's nothing good in doing it, it's just like using drugs." As I've posted above, cigarette smoke gives me migraines; it also very likely helped kill two of my grandparents and gave my father a heart attack. I'd be delighted if nobody smoked on the street, or anywhere else in public. But because smoking cigarettes is legal, then unless someone's smoking in a desginated nonsmoking area, their choice to smoke is their own and subject to their own views of right and wrong. I'm not sure how you got from my post to "if you need laws to determine what's right and wrong, then you're kinda screwed up," but no, I don't. ;-)
Quasar55_fml 18
#72, alcohol and fast foods are basically food items. Having some once in a while feeds you and does nothing bad. Have a lot, and it takes a toll on your health (like ANY other food). Tobacco is good for nothing in the body, it's a set of chemicals (******* petrol and stuff, how can people willingly inhale petrol ??) that is bad from the very beginning. And to make things worse it's also addictive.
Fsvb 32
171 Alcohol is addictive and is also damaging in the beginning. Maybe not so much, but don't tell me you get lung cancer from smoking 1 pack of cigarettes in your whole life. And you know what? Food can also be addictive. I was 'addicted' to food and changed my addiction from food to smoking, lost weight and then quit smoking. But I'd rather have the smoking addiction than the food addiction. But I don't understand why people always have to argue being 'against smoking'. I mean, no sane person thinks smoking is good, that's not the problem. You don't argue being against heroine addicts, right? And if you would, you are not going to accomplish a thing. There is a reason people do drugs or unhealthy things, that's what should be taken care of, instead of making smoking look 'uncool' (they have commercials for that in my country), or something.
DanielleinDC 34
Did you tell them that you're allergic to this shit? And you were minding your own business, I assume. But their right to smoke ends where your nostrils begin.
1crabbygirl 10
I hope you managed to laugh at them for being so insecure through your coughing. What a bunch of d-bags.
j_cat187 20
I would have to side with the smokes on this one because its their right to smoke. They already know the risks yet they continue to get badgered. Why can't you sit upwind of the smoke?
toon_girl 12
If you actually read the post, it said walked past, not sat next to. The smokers were sitting down but the OP wasn't. Therefore it wasn't the OP's fault they got exposed to the smoke. And, OP wasn't badgering them, they're allergic to smoke, big difference.
Sputnikspak 13
27 - If you have a habit that inconveniences other people, the onus is on YOU to ensure that you inconvenience people as little as possible. I have asthma, and while I try to avoid smokers, sometimes you get caught by surprise (ie: someone turning around and blowing smoke right as you walk past them, inhaling). I've met my share of jerks, but usually I just politely ask them to move downwind because I have asthma. If I'm at a bus stop or something I'll save their spot. But you shouldn't expect the person who is coughing to have to move. If someone blows smoke in my face, I sometimes cough so hard I throw up, if I can't get my inhaler right away. It's been a while since that happened, but it can. Instead of being rude, just step away!
Dcm210 19
People show their true colors at work.
xrudeboyrock 29
Wow! Was it an overly exaggerated cough? Either way, they're douchebags for doing that to you. Maybe bring it up with your boss, let him know you have a legitimate medical condition and if there could be a designated smoking area that's more easily avoided?
Sputnikspak 13
Exaggerated-sounding coughs can still be legit. If I start coughing from my asthma, I generally sound like a cat hurking up a hairball. Or worse. If you're fake-coughing, that's one thing. I do agree about asking for a designated smoking area, though.
sarahadlina 14
I hate smoking and smokers. Gosh. That sucks. I can't stand it especially when the smokers blow their smoke directly at u. Honestly, one whiff and u really feel suffocated.
RedPillSucks 33
hate the smoking, not the smoker.
TheNewGuy03 29
You must be a nice person, 37.