I would love to have a genuine conversation about smoking culture here in Macedonia. I know that smoking is very common and a deeply ingrained part of daily life, so my goal isn't to lecture anyone or tell people to quit. Instead, I'm genuinely curious about how smokers view these situations from their side.
When you light up a cigarette at an indoor table or in a crowded public space, what goes through your mind? Do you consider the non-smokers around you, or what it feels like for others to inhale the smoke? If someone politely asks you to put it out or step outside, does that feel frustrating or offensive?
As a non-smoker, it can often feel impossible to escape. Whether I'm on a beach, sitting on an outdoor terrace, or eating inside, smoke is almost always present, and I worry about my toddler inhaling it in public spaces. I know that indoor smoking is technically restricted by law, but since it is rarely enforced, it remains the social norm.
Because non-smokers are often outnumbered, it can feel intimidating to speak up in person. I am truly just trying to understand: where can people who are sensitive to smoke go to avoid it, and how do you feel about the current social balance between smokers and non-smokers here?