What constitutes “disrespectful” often varies from person to person. Nonetheless, there are reasons people might consider smoking in front of their parents to fall under the category of “disrespect.” Nonetheless, it may depend on the situation where the smoking is occurring, the culture, and other factors. Of course, it might be said that smoking in general is somewhat disrespectful.

More specifically, smoking contributes to a variety of health problems. Although smokers may pay for their own health care through taxation and other means, this does not “counteract” the smoking itself. If one looks at society as a whole, the time spent treating smoking-related illness could be spent on treating other illnesses, researching cures, and giving doctors more leisure time. After all, there are plenty of doctors and surgeons working excess hours because of smoking and other habits. Smoking also contributes to pollution through smoke, the manufacturing of cigarettes, and other factors. Second-hand smoke also harms society more directly by forcing individuals to expose themselves to fumes in many areas.

Now smokers typically respond to criticism with some valid points. Essentially, they point out that obesity is a significant health problem that is not stigmatized in the same way. Automobiles polite and don’t receive the same level of criticism. Of course, the point that obesity and automobile pollution receive less criticism is becoming untrue over time. People are focused on pollution more than in the past. What started as an attempt to change the subject from smoking has, in fact, led people to address issues causing similar problems. The reality is that defending behavior because “it’s just like something else” or “that person is doing it” doesn’t make it appropriate. This is a fallacy children are notorious for making. They think if their parents do something, that’s an excuse for their own behavior. It isn’t.

Smokers have the right to smoke, and they are subject to unfair criticism on a regular basis. Strangers go up to them and make remarks, but those same people may be doing so on their way to a fast food restaurant. Parents give their children life and try to teach them values that they feel important. Most parents want their children healthy and happy. Smoking is a risk to your health that’s poorly justified, in most cases, and it is unfair to loved ones. Rarely to chain smokers (or the obese, for that matter) take responsibility for their actions when their loved one is left to care for them in a hospital. It is your life to risk when you do anything harmful, and some things in life are worth the risk, but it’s disrespectful not to consider how your behavior affects others.

The disrespectful smoker enters their parents home and assumes smoking is acceptable. In fact, even asking non-smoking parents to smoke is somewhat rude. Parents don’t want to throw their children out of the house in the cold or the rain. And while some smokers are unaware of the smell, the practice of smoking in a home can leave it smelling life cigarettes for long periods of time. Parents are also susceptible to second hand smoke. That is, in my view, the most disrespectful thing about smoking in front of parents. Would you say to your parents, “can you drink a little bit of this poison so I can win a bet and buy a pop?” They might not be harmed a lot, but that’s not the point. The damage can accumulate over time, especially if you smoke in front of them frequently.

Satisfying your own needs at the expense of others is disrespectful. Even those who choose to let you do so are being influenced by your positive qualities. An abusive husband may do things that make his wife forgive him, but they don’t make up for abuse. When the wife goes back to abusive husbands because they’d rather have someone than no one, it’s not their fault. They are put in a situation where what they need comes at a cost. Smokers put friends and family in a situation of the same sort. Not as dramatic, obviously, but friends and family will feel bored while you constantly take a break to smoke. Some will feel like they are being rude or unfair. Really, a smoker should be trying to keep loved one’s away from their second hand smoke, not smoke in front of them.