Mari,
I always enjoy reading your posts. This one especially. Everyone's responses have been right on too. We did not realize, when actively feeding our addiction, how ridiculous were the things that we said and did - We said and did them because we did what was necessary to feed our addiction and to justify it.
"Well, I hope I won't tempt you" is a common misconception. Smokers often think that every one of us who have quit, are foaming at the mouth and always on the verge of relapse. Their idea of freedom is being alone in their car so they can smoke in peace. The "be prepared for the smell" comment is announcing that this is my space. This is where I smoke, take it or leave it.
My experience, and my perception of the experiences of others here, is that, far from being on the verge of relapse, we revel in our freedom from actively feeding our addiction. If those smokers who make those comments were to turn around, they would see that the walls of the cell are on their side of the bars not ours. We may both be addicted to nicotine, but at least we who have quit it have the choice each day to say "No." to nicotine without suffering withdrawl. They who choose to continue to feed their addiction, until they make the choice to quit, must feed it or suffer withdrawl. There is no freedom locked in your car bathed in noxious gases and particulate carcinogens.
The smell of stale smoke and the idea of smoking myself to death are no longer appealing to me so I too have encouraged others to smoke in my presence. Go ahead - Make my day.
Joseph
1 more day then yesterday.