A slight exaggeration maybe, but I know what you mean. I guess that you have to put it in perspective. Townsville is very much a blue collar town, a social group that are generally over represented in the percentage of people who smoke.

I'll make it clear that I am not knocking blue collar workers, its just a fact that they are less likely than other professions to quit smoking. Ten years ago you could not walk past an office block in a major city without gasping for air, now you will find there is a lot fewer people smoking in these areas.

I hope I don't get hammered for these comments, but I think it may be the case. And for the records I am smoker who is currently in remission. As mark Twain said, "Quitting smoking is easy, I should know, I've done it a thousand times" or something like that anyway.

Posted 28 Aug 2008 by SAYNO2MULLETS

I would be more worried about exhaust fumes, than cigarette smoke, be nice or avoid smokers just remember smoking is addictive and it is hard to kick the habit, and i bet every smoker wants to quit but are having trouble.

Posted 28 Aug 2008 by sillysausage38

I agree, I thought the new laws would make things better but now it seems when you walk a few meters away from any entry point of a building you suffocate on the second hand smoke of ohers- If people can't quite then thats their own problem, those who don't should not have to suffer! Its a persons own right to smoke but they have to be considerate -it should be confined to the home or somewhere WELL away form other people as it's just not fair, if I wanted to inhale cigeratte smoke and smell like and ashtray I would smoke, now all I have to do is go outside!
P.s anyone who is trying to quit has my full support! I know it must be hard but you can do it! for your sake and ours...

Posted 28 Aug 2008 by Kim-Stratton

You are not right, and you are being typical. Your rights above anyone elses. The rule is 4 metres from doorway and that's fair. What's all this "not fair" rubbish! Nothing is "fair" unles it's in your favour. I have no problem with smokers and it's total rubbish to say the whole town smells like cigarette smoke.. TOTAL rot! Lets look at the yearly Burn Off. A single grass fire (done for your own good they say) Generates enough smoke in a single fire for more than 200 million cigarettes. The daily ride to and from work in your cars generates the equivalent bad air and fumes to equate to over 100 million cigarettes. I walk down the supermarket aisles and the chemicals from the cleaning aisles being wafted through the air contribute to my asthma far more than any cigarette smoke. In fact, I have to be left waiting while that part of the shopping gets done. Stop whinging and whining. You've had your own way long enough. By the way I don't smoke!

Posted 28 Aug 2008 by thinktank

It is not rot when I experience it myself. I had to move 4 times today because people kept coming near me to have a smoke! (Simply go where there is no one around, don't light up next to someone who is already sitting there!) Bush fires are natural...they don't contain the same chemicals as the smoke from a cigarette so that is rubbish. You would have to stick your head into an exhaust pipe to get the same effect as someone smoking near you! Get a puffer for your asthma...I can’t get anything to stop the cancer, the smell, and the unpleasant sensation of breathing in someone’s second hand smoke! I wish I was as tolerable as you to be, as a non-smoker, more affected by the cleaning aisle of the supermarket rather than the unbearable chemical fumes excreted by the smokers of Townsville!

Posted 2 Sep 2008 by Kim-Stratton

Hey Dr Weird I travelled to Brisbane earlier in the year and took the train to the city. I took a short stroll into the mall and the place just smelt like an ashtray not to mention the pall of cigarette smoke that just hung in this busy area.

I am a non smoker and just couldn't escape that fast enough. I saw enough and got back on the train to continue my travels elsewhere.

Posted 18 Sep 2008 by jedda

IS THIS COMMENT IN THE RIGHT SECTION??? CHILDRENS ENTERTAINMENT??? HOPE THE KIDDIES AREN'T BEING NAUGHTY!!!!

Posted 30 Sep 2008 by marie3