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Dropkicked Murphy wrote: Going around and ask random people to stop smoking would be considered unfriendly by many people.
Only makes me think this Joke:
"Girls these days do not appreciate what boys do for them, like just the other night. Instead of appreciating that I bring her favorite breakfast in bed. She starts shouting and swearing about wanting to know who I am and how I got into her bedroom at 3 AM..." 
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Dinesh.V.Kumar wrote: I just keep the advice limited to the people I know
It's not like these people haven't heard that "advice" before. That's probably half the reason it always comes across the wrong way.
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Is it "in all likeliness"?
I don't know, but I'd suspect not considering many who smoke give up long before it has any significant impact of their own volition, large numbers will die of completely unrelated things, and some will live out their lives with no significant impacts at all.
People don't like being nagged at or told what to do.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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chriselst wrote: Is it "in all likeliness"?
The discussion was not necessarily related to smoking only, it was any activity. I had an uncle that was a raging alcohol and died as a direct result of his excessive drinking, for example.
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I realise that.
The in all likeliness applies to anything.
Millions drink alcohol with no ill effects at all.
Loads of people die in accidents, mostly in their own homes, plenty being in cars. Most don't.
What about Skiing, mountain climbing, lots of other things people enjoy doing but have an inherent risk?
Adults have to be allowed to make their own choices, even if they seem to be stupid choices, and have the chance to learn from what they do.
Most people have health issues or shorter lives because of poverty yet there is more than enough wealth in the hands of just a few people.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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Quote: People don't like being nagged at or told what to do.
How dare you tell me what I like or don't like. 
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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Ok. Some people like it, but they pay a lot of money to leather clad women in dungeons for the experience rather than raking it from random people on the street.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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It depends on the situation. I smoke, and I try to avoid it around children - That said, I wait until the family has passed me before I light my fag, or try to pass them with the biggest possible distance. I see that as my responsibility - What I don't see as my responsibility is to back away when I stand somewhere, having a smoke, and a mom and their kids need to stand right next to me - I was there first, and there is plenty of space for her to stand, where she is in safe distance.
I also smoke at the train station - Whoever doesn't like the smoke can back away from the ash tray, it's there for a friggin' reason.
What I want to say with it is that both sides, smokers and non-smokers, need to behave responsible - With hindsight and respect.
I can understand your considerations - But people may get it into the wrong throat if they don't quite get your point. If any foreigner would as me to stop (without any obvious reason, a huge gasoline spill nearby would be a good reason) I'd probably light another fag.
In the end we are adults, and everyone shall do whatever the heck they find right - Within some borders of course. If someone desperately smokes near children anyone shall be allowed to shove the smoke down the smokers throat.
I will never again mention that Dalek Dave was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel.
How to ask a question
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Well reasoned reponse, thank you.
Marco Bertschi wrote: But people may get it into the wrong throat if they don't quite get your point
And that is why I always explain why I am asking them to stop, and do so in a gentle tone, not condemning them, just explaining my history.
Tim
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That might work well if you know them, but here (Switzerland) you get odd looks if you go to approach random people, tell them your life story and ask them to quit smoking - Dunno how that is in the US, but from my point this behavior would be *unusual*, if not be considered rude by some.
I will never again mention that Dalek Dave was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel.
How to ask a question
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I would not approach a complete stranger with that action in mind, which is part of the 'if the opportunity presented itself'.
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 Just saying
I guess we have the same opinion, if there is an opportunity I don't mind to talk about non-smokers about my habit.
I will never again mention that Dalek Dave was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel.
How to ask a question
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Quote: smokers and non-smokers, need to behave responsible
Some would say the mere fact they smoke makes them irresponsible.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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Smoking is a stupid thing to do.
Everyone who smokes in the western world knows it is a stupid thing to do.
It makes them smell nasty, less nice to be around, increases their chance of getting all sorts of things wrong with them, and costs a massive amount of money.
I'd say deliberately giving someone lots of your money to be less healthy and more unpleasant is quite irresponsible.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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Come on. Don't be shy. Tell us how you really feel.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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chriselst wrote: It makes them smell nasty,
Talking about these who smell like an old ash tray, yes. I for my part got often complimented by non smokers on the way I smell.
chriselst wrote: increases their chance of getting all sorts of things wrong with them
I'm a Developer, there are so many things wrong with me that I can't be bothered to care about the smaller things the fags get wrong with my.
Enough of the drivel, I'm with you on anything (except the smell). Smoking is stupid, and it is a stupid decision to start with it.
I will never again mention that Dalek Dave was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel.
How to ask a question
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People who smoke around children (as an example) are irresponsible.
People who smoke are stupid (Yep, starting to smoke was a stupid decision).
The difference is small, but it is there. People who smoke might be stupid, but in their behavior they might still act responsible (I gave the examples in my answers to Tim already).
I will never again mention that Dalek Dave was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel.
How to ask a question
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Quote: (I gave the examples in my answers to Tim already
You gave examples of being responsible around other people. But killing yourself cannot be considered responsible in this context whatsoever.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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I see my responsibility around other people as more important than the responsibility to myself.
Apart from that I stopped drinking coffee and keep myself fit with running, so smoking isn't that bad, at least not at the moment. Am I self-responsible? I don't think one can answer this by just asking "Do I smoke?".
I will never again mention that Dalek Dave was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel.
How to ask a question
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Quote: so smoking isn't that bad, at least not at the moment.
Quote: Am I self-responsible? I don't think one can answer this by just asking "Do I smoke?".
I agree. No one is perfect.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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If someone doesn't know the risks of something they're doing, it's fair enough to make them aware. If they know and accept the risk for the pleasure the activity gives them, I think it's rude to essentially tell them they're living their life wrong.
On an individual level the effect of smoking on life expectancy is really rather small.
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My mother and father smoked like chimneys: both died of cancer, though my fathers was spine-and-brain rather than lung I suspect it was smoking related and the cancers that killed him were secondaries rather than the primary. I gave up nearly ten years ago, but because I was fed up with it, rather than because of any risk.
But...I don't ask people to stop smoking (except in my house, and there it isn't a request) any more than I ask people to stop mountain climbing, skiing, or sky diving.
We know there is a risk - if you don't know by now then the gene pool is better off without you - it's not my place to prevent people from doing dangerous things, unless it is clear they don't know the risk they are taking. So I'll stop a child (or an adult) from walking in front of a bus, if I can - but I won't ask them to give up cigarettes.
Personal choice: we should be allowed to make our own decisions as to the level of risk we are prepared to take.
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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Tim Carmichael wrote: if we see someone engaging in a practice that will, in all likelihood, shorten their natural life and possibly cause pain and suffering to themselves or others
The keyword here is "in all likelihood". So for sure you don't know if or how much it is likely. I don't smoke but I enjoy many things considered deadly including chocolate, coffee, meat, whisky and fast cars. If you would like to remove everything "dangerous" from your life there wasn't be much left...
So answering your question - no. I don't try to bend people to my way. On the other hand I try to enjoy my life, not necessary in the safest way possible 
PS. It reminds me the old movie "Demolition Man" - it shows how the world could look like if everything not healthy is forbidden.
--
"My software never has bugs. It just develops random features."
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My father died of cancer not related to smoking (I think he was 82). They gave him one to seven months to live and said he should quit smoking.
Not just once but often during his last few months.
Now I do not smoke but if someone who is dying wants to do something dangerous (and legal)...
By-the-way I tell people I have meet they should stop. Not every day but once in a while.
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I have still never met a smoker that doesn't know about the dangers of smoking, so preaching about it is a bit pointless I find.
However, if anyone smokes in the vicinity of my children I'll demand that they put out the cigarette.
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