Smoking cliche???

So yesterday I was hanging out with my friend and she had to step outside so she could smoke some sort of tobacco + natural herbs thingy (from Pakistan I think, I don't think it was anything illegal since they were in a pack). Anyways, she then asked me if I smoked and I said "No." She went on to say that "all gay guys smoke" and I told her that it was probably another of those stereotypes (which I think is true, right?) and that not all of them smoked. Could any of you shed some light on this? What have you heard? Would you be turned off if your partner was a smoker? I personally wouldn't date a smoker, but that's just what I prefer. Any thoughts?

I smoke ^_^.. had no idea that was a stereotype :S

[Lava421]

I hadn't heard that one. If anything, I thought gay guys are stereotyped as being healthy in both diet and exercise.

OH, maybe the stereotype comes from the idea of gays being liberal and wanting to legalize marijuana?

I've heard that stereotype before, only on a rant on youtube. lol

and i wouldn't be bothered if my partner smoked. :]

[Andrew]

I would be bothered if my partner smoked because I can barely breath when there are smokers around me :x. I have heard of this stereotype before.

Never heard that before but i dont smoke.





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^Cancer Stick^

Cancer stick indeed! Haha! :P

I'm surprised none of you have heard this before. Maybe it's regional? I don't think it's meant to sound like marijuana...but more like cigarettes. I just thought it was a stereotype since she said it (and I have heard about it in another gay/lesbian forum).

Who knows? :x

[joeyconnick]

No, it's a pretty established stereotype (tobacco, not weed). It's definitely a dumb one but I've run into it a lot. And of course none of my gay friends smoke, which shows you how much of a stereotype it is.

I think one of the reasonings behind it (for smoking and alcohol abuse) is that queer people often have relatively traumatic childhoods (given the whole "society thinks you're dirty and evil and should be exiled or killed" vibe that far too many people seem to buy into) and that leads to more substance abuse, and of course the two most commonly abused substances (given that it's legal to use them) are alcohol and nicotine. Well that and caffeine but no one seems to think caffeine is really that much of a "drug," even though it totally is.

Of course, not all people turn to substance abuse when traumatised and not all queer peple end up traumatised over being non-straight, so even if it were a legitimate trend, it's certainly not something you can look at and say, "All gay people smoke."

[jroakwood]

i wouldnt be turned off if my partner smoked.
i know a gay guys who smoke.

i think its as legit as any other stereotype out there.

Turns out that gays ARE more likely to smoke.
Bunch of graphs. Some good ones on page 7 and page 8 has a really helpfull one along with the conclusion of the survey.
http://www.health.state.nm.us/pdf/LG...a%20Report.pdf

[Brendon]

That's weird, I haven't ever heard of that stereotype before.

Tobacco smoke makes me gag though, terrible smell :x

[Hydrogen]

I hear that a lot down here in FL.... however I only know one person who smokes regularly that is gay.

.... not my thing, and it is a huge turn off for me.

[grapevine fires]

I've never heard that before.
I know many people, gay or straight, who smoke.. to be honest though, I've heard more about the stereotype that many gay males are big users of amphetamines.. I've never witnessed it myself though, so I don't know.

Originally Posted by joeyconnick

No, it's a pretty established stereotype (tobacco, not weed). It's definitely a dumb one but I've run into it a lot. And of course none of my gay friends smoke, which shows you how much of a stereotype it is.

I think one of the reasonings behind it (for smoking and alcohol abuse) is that queer people often have relatively traumatic childhoods (given the whole "society thinks you're dirty and evil and should be exiled or killed" vibe that far too many people seem to buy into) and that leads to more substance abuse, and of course the two most commonly abused substances (given that it's legal to use them) are alcohol and nicotine. Well that and caffeine but no one seems to think caffeine is really that much of a "drug," even though it totally is.

Of course, not all people turn to substance abuse when traumatised and not all queer peple end up traumatised over being non-straight, so even if it were a legitimate trend, it's certainly not something you can look at and say, "All gay people smoke."

Aha! This makes a lot of sense!! I agree, very well said.

And to tylerksub: those are some very interesting statistics! Thank you for the find!

[WhiteFox]

I have heard of this and Yea it is a turn off but I wouldnt say "no im not dating you if you smoke" that seems a little extreme, as long as its legal then id be ok I guess

[LostBoy]

I would be bothered if my boyfriend smoked
I think smoking is disgusting
And I am extemely apposed to even trying it
Although some of my friends do smoke

[Master Taco]

I would be terribly turned off if my partner smoked, I can't stand it.Where I work, people smoke by the doors all the time (despite the fact it's illegal) and I chew them out for it.

[Miaplacidus]

I don't smoke and I wouldn't even date a smoker - it's a huuuuuuuuuuuge turn off.

[Grof142007]

Originally Posted by Miaplacidus

I don't smoke and I wouldn't even date a smoker - it's a huuuuuuuuuuuge turn off.

My thoughts exactly

[Paul_UK]

Of the people I know, a higher proportion of gay people smoke than straight. There's not enough to put meaningful figures on though, but in my limited experience there is some truth in the stereotype.

I don't smoke and would never date a smoker. Huge turn-off. If a partner started smoking he would be an ex-partner.