Smoking and Drinking in Personal Ads

Should You Mention Smoking or Drinking in Personal Ads?

Face it, smokers are the social pariahs and lepers of today. They get cut no slack. Many people absolutely refuse to date a smoker. If smoking is a big issue with you, you will be doing yourself and smokers a big favor if you state in your ad or response that you don't smoke and don't want to meet someone that does. If you are running an ad and you smoke, I strongly suggest that you say so in your written ad. There is no good way to sugar coat the fact that you smoke. I also know that it will dramatically cut the number of responses that you get. At the very least, say very clearly that you smoke in your voice message. If you smoke and are responding to an ad, say that you are a smoker. If people are warned up front that you smoke it won't be a rude shock when you pull out a Marlboro and light up.

The same advice applies if you have strong feelings about drinking and/or drugs. If you had an alcoholic ex-spouse or parent and hate alcohol, specify in your ad or response that you are only interested in meeting someone who is a non-drinker. There are plenty of available people who don't drink and who share your sentiments. It is probably too much to expect that a drug addict or an alcoholic would "fess up to their addiction in an ad or response. But if you drink a lot, do not claim to be a "light social drinker." Your habit will become obvious after you order your sixth rum and Coke at your first meeting.