Dear stupid people smoking inside the bus shelter:

[Zorra]

75. Your reponses don't seem cynical at all.

I most often see those types of projective responses from angry, guilt ridden smokers in a state of denial, desperately defending their addiction to nicotine while at the same time wishing they could quit. They most commonly lash out at me in this irrational manner when I ask them to please not smoke in an enclosed space with me in it. I've experienced angry, enraged outbursts from all types of substance abusers, but nicotine seems to be the most prevalent cause of these irrational outraged reactionary behaviors, in my experience.

Geez, once this woman sitting behind me on a public non-smoking bus lit up, and surrounded my head with her exhaled smoke. I turned and asked her nicely to please not smoke, and her face got all twisted up in rage, and she went totally ballistic, screaming about her right to smoke and how no one had a right to tell her what to do. People have every right to smoke (not necessarily in other people's faces though), but it would be a good idea if they made themselves aware of the possible negative emotional and psychological effects nicotine might have on their personalities and subsequent interactions with others. People who feel desperation for a cigarette when their nicotine blood level drops below their ability to tolerate can get pretty deranged until they get another fix that relieves their urge and calms them down. Many other people have witnessed this irrational, addiction induced behavior in some smokers as well, it's a cliche behavior.

And then there are the kind, considerate, inoffensive smokers who recognize that their habit may genuinely make others uncomfortable, and instead of lashing out with deranged, irrational hostility at not being able to make others uncomfortable, these smokers adjust accordingly so as not to annoy others. Generally, non-smokers don't have any problem with these folks.

Nicotine Anonymous offers help to those who wish to stop using nicotine 365 days a year

Good luck!