The World Hates Smokers

As a smoker, I know it’s bad for me. I know it’s bad for you. I know it’s a filthy, dirty habit, but I try to be responsible about where I smoke and do my best to not offend. That being said, sometimes enough is enough.

I hit my limit this past week on a trip to Sedona, Arizona. If you’ve never been, Sedona is a gorgeous small city home to red rocks, spiritual vortexes and beautiful state parks.

No smoking in Sedona

Unfortunately, Sedona (like much of the world) hates smokers. HATES them.

One of the coolest things to see and do in Sedona is visit Slide Rock Park, a large national park full of rivers you can slide down and lots of natural beauty. But you can’t smoke, anywhere (BUT I’M OUTSIDE!!!!).

Sitting outside at a restaurant? Can’t smoke. Even our goddamned cheap motel made us sign a paper saying that if they so much as catch us smoking in the PARKING LOT, they will “extinguish” us and charge us $300.

For reals?

Which leads me to a greater point: Smokers get flack A LOT.

Sure, there are places in the world where smoking is the norm (and non-smokers get funny looks) but in the whole of the Western world, dirty smokers like me are constantly being told where we can and can’t be and sometimes I get sick of it. And I know I’m not alone. I’ve met hundreds of scorned smokers like me, and we’ve bonded as only outcasts can while smoking in the alleyways of nicer towns.

We know not to smoke on planes. We know that secondhand smoke is a killer. Hell, we know we’re dying as we puff this. But seriously.. is it absolutely necessary to make me feel so ashamed of smoking that I’m literally hiding on the side of the parking lot or running into the street to get a puff?

Answer me that, Sedona!!

Truth is, it’s not just Sedona. There are thousands of towns all over the world that have crazy bans on smoking. Can you name some others?

….. SIDENOTE: I have recently quit smoking. It’s been 6 days. So, way to go Sedona. I guess……