Smoke break at St. Mike's

[RBSinTo]

This was taken the other day across the street from the St. Michael's Hospital here in Toronto.
I was waiting for my wife to return from shopping when I spotted a man across the street standing inside an entrance bay having a cigarette. He was obviously a patient, and despite being hooked up to an IV line, he braved the cold to indulge his habit.
Sensing the irony of the situation, I grabbed this shot.
Nikon D3
Tamron SP 35~105 2.8 AIS manual focus
2.8 @ 1/160th/ ISO 1,000

[Shadowman]

I'm sure he saw the sign and said ......

Nicely seen and captured.

[RBSinTo]

Thanks john.
Because of various family-related responsibilities, I haven't been out on the streets for a while, so getting out the other day and grabbing this was especially satisfying for me.
Robert

[Manfred M]

The spot looks familiar; Queen St E, just east of Yonge St? I seem to remember walking past that spot many times on the way to Henry's main camera store just a couple of blocks away.

[Geoff F]

That image would make an ideal anti smoking poster.

[Shadowman]

That image would make an ideal anti smoking poster.

This is mild compared to some of those anti smoking commercials, some are so gruesome I have to turn the channel.

[LePetomane]

I see this at our hospital on a frequent basis. If the guy is able to drag himself out of his hospital bed and brave the elements for a cigarette he probably doesn't need to be hospitalized. The picture speaks volumes.

Those footing the bill for this should be outraged.

[RBSinTo]

Manfred, Geoff, Paul David,
Thanks for commenting.
Manfred,
Close but no cigar. Queen Street East, just east of Victoria, in front of Downtown Camera (where I shop), and west of Church where Henry's is indeed located.
Paul David,
You can't fix stupid.
But just to play the Devil's Advocate here, the subject's medical problems may have nothing to do with smoking.
Robert

[rpcrowe]

My mother once said in the 1960's, "If cigarettes ever reach one dollar (USD) a pack, everyone will stop smoking!"

How wrong she was At between four and five dollars a pack, they are still selling strong!

[ST1]

Well spotted and captured.
Sadly I too have seen this behaviour when visiting local hospitals. Though as a reformed ex smoker (Circa 1977) I don't enjoy having to pass through the smokers (unauthorised) area to get in to the building. Having said that I can understand their craving for the drug and can usually hold my breath long enough to get inside the building. Right Robert, I'm dismounting from my hobby horse and apologise for getting off track on your thread.

[lovelife65]

Nice candid photo telling a great story, one of the power of addiction.

[RBSinTo]

Richard, Peter, Sharon,
Thank you for commenting.
Robert