I still "bristle up" when I am asked that question but I really like what you said Katie about empowerment and it is a chance to educate people. I have said when asked that question, It is very naive to think that cigarette smoke is the only pollutant in our air, just look at the emissions from cars! You get closed up in a small area with a running vechicle and your are dead in a matter of hours and you think that isn't affecting our air? Then I follow up with the facts and underfunding. Before I was touched with LC I was ignorant about it too and quite shocked to see the underfunding and to realize it was because of the the stigma. What a shame our society is so judgemental! I do feel it is a very rude question to ask and I hadn't thought about it before but Laura, I think you hit the nail on the head--people feel safe if they are not smokers.
Cathy