You dont have to miss those moments. Just join them, without the cigarette. In my experience noone cares if you dont smoke.

Never smoked. The walk to a Melbourne CBD coffee place seems to have the same function of socialising with colleagues. It's definitely something we look forward to, and we have some seriously good coffee places as well.

It's a shame we have to walk past / through so many people smoking on the sidewalk though. It really is quite a disgusting habit.

Second hand smoke is still pretty grim!

Not really, no.

If you work in a smoke-filled bar for 20 years or something, second-hand smoke is probably bad for you although the evidence for even that is much weaker than originally claimed.

Second-hand smoke outdoors in open air has very little in evidence to support claims that it's going to do much to you.

https://slate.com/technology/2017/02/secondhand-smoke-isnt-a...

Yea but if you've ever been a regular smoker then successfully quit, the smell is infuriating because 1) it smells SO disgusting unless it's something like pipe tobacco or American Spirits 2) the temptation to have one, while brief, is strong

1 and 2 combine for a moment of micro-anger

Whether or not second-hand smoke is carcinogenic or otherwise detrimental, the smell alone should force a public ban.

Or my solution: let businesses determine whether or not they want to allow smoking and for the most part the non-smokers will self-segregate to the non-smoking establishments just to avoid smelling like a cancerous ashtray.

I feel the same about perfumes. And some noise pollution.

Yeah, I'm a frequent "step outside for some air" guy during gatherings and I like stepping out to talk with the smokers!

At the time they did feel very much linked. You are right though, of course. I’m too old for any of that nonsense now anyway :)

But the temptation to just bum a cigarette from someone is incredible, trust me.

That temptation subsides with time. I wouldnt recommend it to someone who just quit, but I havent bummed a cigarette yet (also ex smoker, quit 4-5 years ago)

I also smoked for about eight years, quit several years back now. the funny thing is I just can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke now, it seems even worse than before I started.

same here. smoking gives such a jolt of stimulation that you cannot get elsewhere, for that moment of smoking all your troubles are lifted, except you are slowly killing yourself too. The instant delivery of nicotine via smoking is why it does that. There is no other way to replicate it and is why it is so addicting.

I wonder if it couldn't be replaced by proper vaping. Sharing a non toxic thing to inhale on the side.