Is it normal my optometrist lectured me about smoking cigarettes?

62% Normal
20 Comments

I had gone to an optometrist appointment and he happened to see my pack of cigarettes in my purse. He proceeded to lecture me for about 10 minutes (no exaggeration).

The funny thing was, he didn't say anything about smoking and health, even eye health! He kept going on and on about how I'm so young and it's such a foolish thing to do because it smells bad and looks unappealing. He spent the most time talking about the financials of smoking. He asked me how much I spent on it and got out a calculator and added up the cost of smoking for 10 years and crap and asked me what else I'd rather buy with all that money.

I clearly told him a few times during the lecture that it's my personal decision and at this time I'm not interested in quitting but he didn't stop!

I guess he's one of those rabid anti-smoking people. This felt so wrong to me. But I was stuck in that chair and I couldn't escape it! I had to wait for it to be over so I could get my stinkin' contacts and glasses (I'm legally blind w/o them).

is it normal for this to happen?

Voting Results
62% Normal
Based on 100 votes (62 yes)
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Comments ( 20 )
  • NeuroNeptunian
    11 years ago

    He may be a specialist but he's still a doctor after all and doctors find it very discouraging when young patients smoke. I once had an OB/GYN and hell, a gas station clerk even lectured me on cigarettes.

    It really sucks to see patients that are barely hanging onto their health for reasons beyond their control and then see young, healthy patients throw their health away. Don't take it personally.

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    • MissyLeyneous
      11 years ago

      I'm a gas station clerk and it's REALLY hard for me NOT to lecture people about smoking OR dipping.

      I have this one gentleman, probably in his upper forties or lower fifties, who comes in almost every morning and buys a pack of cigars. He's recently had surgery on his fingertips because of smoking, and for a while he stopped buying cigars. Now he's right back at it again!! Makes me wanna scream!!

      He's not the only one either! Another man who dips had quit for a while, he would buy those packs of powdery jerky that are shaped like dip cans, whatever you call them... And now he's dipping again!

      I could go on and on with these failure stories... It's really sad and frustrating!! T_T

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      • NeuroNeptunian
        11 years ago

        I understand your frustration. I was a heavy smoker for 5 years, starting at 15 and quitting in January. I smoked for pretty much all of the reasons you'll typically hear: helps reduce stress, anxiety, feels good etc...

        I can honestly say that, since quitting, my physical and mental health has greatly improved. Stress doesn't bother me as much, I have better ways of coping with anxiety and I overall feel better.

        I feel freed in a way. No more going to work and worrying about whether I can make it off a half pack, no more hoping I put the lighter in my purse when I'm too far from home to go back, no more worrying about whether or not I can find a smoking area...

        Knowing all of this, it pains me to see other young people smoking where I quit and feel way better. I wish I could tell them this but it's seen as rude and I have to respect that.

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      • 1000yrVampireKing
        11 years ago

        How does that damage your fingers?

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        • MissyLeyneous
          11 years ago

          I have no idea.

          But I swear on my momma's grave that that man had STITCHES in his finger-tips. O_O

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  • Captain_Kegstand
    11 years ago

    Most people don't take into account the damage that smoking does outside of your lungs. I'm a smoker and I hate it, but I can admit the fact that I wish I wasn't. The smoking will effect your eyes as well as your sense of smell, taste, and even your cognitive functioning.

    That being said, your doctor knows that telling you this will accomplish absolutely nothing, so he is trying (unsuccessfully) to find a way to connect with you about the negatives of smoking. He is doing this out of genuine care for you as a patient, and overall that makes him a good doctor, even if it is a little annoying!

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  • jucedaguy
    11 years ago

    I hate preachers. I'm sure if you looked close enough at him you'd find skeletons.

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  • iin2want2know
    11 years ago

    One comment would have been acceptable, but to rant on like that was a bit over the top. I'm also a smoker and I always have random people lecture me on the health risks of my smelly habit. I never light up in public situations just so I don't expose others to my 2nd hand smoke. I wish we could just smoke in peace. I'm done...sorry to go on like that.

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  • kelili
    11 years ago

    I think that he really cares for you. I smoke and when people lecture me about it I don't get annoyed because I mentally mute them and nod continuously makind a sad face.

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  • Energy
    11 years ago

    Man, will cigs ever die? :/ I hate how bad it is for you!

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  • IconicIron
    11 years ago

    It's normal, but it's also not good. These kind of lectures are an awesome way to discourage smokers (myself included) from going to their various check-ups.

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  • VioletTrees
    11 years ago

    I don't know if it's normal, but it's inappropriate. I mean, that's not even the right kind of doctor, and it seems more likely to make you stop going to doctors than stop smoking.

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  • 1000yrVampireKing
    11 years ago

    A doctor is a doctor all the same I guess. That actually is very humorous.

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  • thinkingaboutit
    11 years ago

    he's a doctor.

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  • xxwrong-as-rainxx
    11 years ago

    Its a bit too much he went to lecture you =/ whenever ppl try to do that to me i pretend to act really shocked and go ' what?! But i thought smoking was good for my health! I had no idea!' Or tell them im not really smoking but just pretending to to look cool lmao they usually catch my sarcasm and go away ;p

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  • theytookthisone
    11 years ago

    Nice, he shows concern...but it seems a bit too personal

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  • MsWVgal
    11 years ago

    I agree with others, its gotta be frustrating for him as a medical professional to see you making a conscious decision to smoke. Maybe he has seen that the financial cost is a good motivator for people to quit. We all know the health costs of cigarettes by now. I understand that its "your decision to smoke" but sometimes standing by and NOT saying anything is equivalent to ignoring a friend shooting up: watching them destroy themselves with a bad habit. If you were that offended by the lecture, switch doctors.

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    its normal

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  • Hippie
    11 years ago

    I'd say its a normal situation.
    Not tht it was his business, but normal

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  • LilyAmongTheThorns
    11 years ago

    I guess he probably meant well, and it was his way of showing that he cares.

    I also smoke and it makes me feel really uncomfortable when people tell me how bad it is. I know they mean well, but it feels bad and sometimes I feel guilty, even if they aren't trying to make me feel guilty. I don't know, I just don't like it very much I think it's kinda invasive for a personal choice.

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