Which is worse: cigarette smoke or car exhaust? (kids, spend, family)

[abqpsychlist]

A while back I was standing outside Taco Bell on my lunch break smoking a cigarette while this family pulls up in a Suburban. The (assumed) dad threw me (what I perceived to be) a dirty look as they walked inside.

I'm non-confrontational by nature but if he were to have said anything about it I would have argued that his car was much more damaging than my cigarette. If he were to disagree i would've said to him:

"Ok, well, if your kids had to spend time in a garage with the door closed with me chain smoking inside or with you and your car running, which would you choose?"

Of course I didn't say anything and in reality in might just have been his default face, but sometimes I get a kick out of these hypothetical conversations.

[foadi]

id rather be smoking a cigarette. car exhaust doesnt taste very good

[HurricaneDC]

I'd rather have a smoke for five minutes than take puffs of similar length for 5 minutes from a car exhaust.

[noexcuseforignorance]

I would say eating at Taco Bell is far worse than either.

[geofra]

I've never smoked in my life; so, both are of equal offense. The car exhaust does pose the more immediate, short term danger.

[cruxan]

Originally Posted by noexcuseforignorance

I would say eating at Taco Bell is far worse than either.

taco bell spells gas

[parfleche]

Anybody who eats that food is not interested in the health of anyone.

[abqpsychlist]

Originally Posted by geofra

I've never smoked in my life; so, both are of equal offense. The car exhaust does pose the more immediate, short term danger.

And I'm willing to bet more long term danger too.

[wutitiz]

I think we did this thread before. This was posted, but it's worth a replay.


Guy gets yelled at by a fat Prius lady for having a diesel truck - YouTube

[ambient]

Originally Posted by abqpsychlist

A while back I was standing outside Taco Bell on my lunch break smoking a cigarette while this family pulls up in a Suburban. The (assumed) dad threw me (what I perceived to be) a dirty look as they walked inside.

I'm non-confrontational by nature but if he were to have said anything about it I would have argued that his car was much more damaging than my cigarette. If he were to disagree i would've said to him:

"Ok, well, if your kids had to spend time in a garage with the door closed with me chain smoking inside or with you and your car running, which would you choose?"

Of course I didn't say anything and in reality in might just have been his default face, but sometimes I get a kick out of these hypothetical conversations.

Spending 30 minutes with a car running in an enclosed garage is far worse for the obvious fact that it is highly likely to kill you right then and there, whereas smoking may take a few decades to kill you.

Did you forget this part from chemistry class? Cars produce lots of carbon monoxide in their exhaust, and an enclosed garage is an ideal environment for those fumes to concentrate. Carbon monoxide in high concentration also happens to be extremely toxic to the human body. Inhale enough of this odorless, colorless gas and you will die of asphyxiation - it will kill your heart and your central nervous system well before paramedics have time to come and revive you. Thirty minutes like this in a poorly ventilated garage is more than enough time to turn yourself into a corpse. Haven't you heard of people who commit suicide this way? Carbon monoxide detectors in homes and basements? Do not try it unless you are ready to permanently check out.