To be annoyed by smoking in a children's park?

[possum18]

Took my 5yo godson to a children's play park this afternoon. 1 other family there with their 2 DC. Pushing my godson on the swing set, the man with his two children came over to push his DC next to me and lit up a cigarette and stood there smoking it. I was and said loudly to my DP we had to go to the other area in the park as we were being smoked on!

DP was horrified that I had said it loud enough for the man to hear.

AIBU?

[WorraLiberty]

I would have been...well not 'horrified' cos it's not exactly horrific but a bit embarrassed would be a better way to describe it for me.

I'm not quite sure what 'being smoked on' means...particularly in the wide open air.

I'd say his actions were impolite and a bit selfish but in the grand scheme of things no big deal health or even comfort wise in the outdoors.

But if you felt strongly enough to declare loudly you were being 'smoked on', you should probably have turned to the person in question like an adult and asked him to smoke outside of the pay area.

[IrishDad79]

Adults who smoke around children are absolute scummers, in my opinion.

[MineIsAGinAndTonic]

Ask your council to ban smoking in children's play areas. It's a legitimate, evidence-based request. Lots of councils have done this.

They don't have lots of money to enforce but it's fairly self policing.

[possum18]

Thanks for opinions, on both sides I think it was just frustrating that he hadn't smoked when playing on the other side of the park away from us, but lit up when he came over to where we were.

[MidniteScribbler]

Smoking is banned near children's playground areas here.

I think that anyone who walks in to the space of another person, regardless of where they are and lights up is rude. At least check first that the person doesn't mind.

[silverglitterpisser]

Smoking is banned in parks where I live. Doesn't make much difference tho, u still get those selfish arseholes who just can't wait that five minutes til they have their next cig n light up freely. Vile!

[lydiarobinson]

He was selfish and inconsiderate and maybe your loud comments will make him think next time.
Some smokers just seem to remain oblivious to the annoyance they cause others, despite it being well documented at this stage. You can hardly blame non smokers if they start to become a bit more blunt about their discomfort.

[PoshPenny]

Well I think you are being precious- you're out in the fresh air, the smoke disperses in seconds.

[LashesandLipstick]

YANBU. I'd have loudly asked the man to put out his cigarette. I've done that before, if people want to smoke fine but do it AWAY from other people

[joopy79]

YANBU I hate it when they drop cigarette butts for my toddler to then pick up.

[MrsCs]

YANBU, smoke and destroy your own health, but do it far from people who did not ask to share polluted air

[KoalaDownUnder]

Lighting up right next to kids is vile and selfish, open-air or not.

[gamerchick]

Oooooo a smoking thread.. It's been too long man

[hoobypickypicky]

But it's in the open air!

I can see that you don't like the smoke drifting in your family's direction. I get that. But it's no different to it drifting towards you on the high street. It's offensive to you, I get that too, but what harm exactly is a couple of moments of cigarette smoke in the open air going to do to you all?

Is your objection not more on the principle of the action than a realistic fear of damage?

[getbusyliving]

Inconsiderate of the smoker, but it is outside and is still a legal activity.

yabu and a little childish in dealing with the situation imo

[FarFromAnyRoad]

Oooooo a smoking thread.. It's been too long man

This. It really has been too long. I expect that another two or three will be along any minute now - they always come in swarms!

[LegoComplex]

yanbu its disgusting.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Not everyone is reasonable.

Making loud passive aggressive comments is likely to earn you an aggressive response from some people. I would have just moved if I couldn't bear it.

[Bumpandkind]

My heavy smoking DH always leaves the playground for a fag and I'd be embarrassed if he didn't. However i don't feel the PA comments are a bit much. Like other posters have said, it's out in the fresh air so would not cause a significant risk and would only be unpleasant for a matter of seconds.

[WorraLiberty]

YANBU. I'd have loudly asked the man to put out his cigarette

Why loudly? The OP said the guy was standing next to her?

If she had politely asked him to put it out, he may well have done.

No need to be 'loud' or passive aggressive.

[LashesandLipstick]

Worra because the idea that anyone thought that was okay in the first place irritates me.

[hoobypickypicky]

If I were loud every time something irritated me you'd all be deafened!

[LashesandLipstick]

Hooby but smoking in a park is really inappropriate, it's not just being a little bit annoyed at something

[PurpleDaisies]

If you have a problem with people smoking in children's areas of parks why don't you lobby the council to get it banned? Lots of parks are smoke free now.

This guy was legally smoking so while I can see why you were annoyed (I hate cigarette smoke too) he wasn't actually doing anything wrong.