2008 Woodie Awards
So angry, she's smoking
Jeanne Selden
Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: Opinion
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I am a cigarette smoker. I have been for a number of years. I still love to smoke, I love that I have a right to smoke. I don't smoke in front of children and I chastise those who do. I don't smoke right outside shops and places of business, I don't demand or protest smokers' rights and I don't advocate for smoking. But, I am a human being and I would like to be treated like one. I know it's a bad habit but I love it.
I currently live in Arcata, where smoking is not only frowned upon, it's outright illegal. Sort of.
There is a one-block square area smack dab in the middle of downtown Arcata that has a voter-elected ordinance against cigarette smoking within its interior. Granted, this plaza is only one block of the entire city, but clearly represents Arcata residents' general prejudices and like-minded attitudes against cigarette smokers and cigarette smoking.
In Northern Humboldt County, you can't go anywhere without the infamous cigarette-with-a-red-line-through-it sign reminding me that not only can I not smoke on the premises, but that I should think about changing my life habits.
Change my life based on advice from a sign? Wait. There's more.
Tavern Row is one block comprised of all four bars within the Arcata city limits. They are all right next door to each other and provide the local college kids with plenty of intoxicating action. The ironic thing about Tavern Row is that smoking is allowed, just on that side of the street, during evenings when plaza shops are closed and the night walkers and plazoids come out to beg for leftovers and spare change. This is the best time to be a smoker in Arcata, where I surround myself with other like-minded, young, collegiate, risk-your-health-on-a-daily-basis kind of folks.
I've been dubbed by sympathetic friends as a "clean smoker." I do not stand in the way of my own cigarette smoke or soak up that last drag inside my sealed car. I chew gum, smoke outside at all times, wash my hands frequently and constantly spray myself with good-smelling stuff.
I currently live in Arcata, where smoking is not only frowned upon, it's outright illegal. Sort of.
There is a one-block square area smack dab in the middle of downtown Arcata that has a voter-elected ordinance against cigarette smoking within its interior. Granted, this plaza is only one block of the entire city, but clearly represents Arcata residents' general prejudices and like-minded attitudes against cigarette smokers and cigarette smoking.
In Northern Humboldt County, you can't go anywhere without the infamous cigarette-with-a-red-line-through-it sign reminding me that not only can I not smoke on the premises, but that I should think about changing my life habits.
Change my life based on advice from a sign? Wait. There's more.
Tavern Row is one block comprised of all four bars within the Arcata city limits. They are all right next door to each other and provide the local college kids with plenty of intoxicating action. The ironic thing about Tavern Row is that smoking is allowed, just on that side of the street, during evenings when plaza shops are closed and the night walkers and plazoids come out to beg for leftovers and spare change. This is the best time to be a smoker in Arcata, where I surround myself with other like-minded, young, collegiate, risk-your-health-on-a-daily-basis kind of folks.
I've been dubbed by sympathetic friends as a "clean smoker." I do not stand in the way of my own cigarette smoke or soak up that last drag inside my sealed car. I chew gum, smoke outside at all times, wash my hands frequently and constantly spray myself with good-smelling stuff.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
chikomek
posted 10/19/07 @ 12:02 PM PST
I see Jeanne wants equal treatment. She is defending a vice with many many documented deaths. She is also putting some blame on drinkers, and hazardous fumes from cars. (Continued…)
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