Smoking outside cafés?

[PuntCuffin]

Took my boys out to a local country park this morning. Decided we would have lunch while we were there so got ourselves settled at an outside table at the park café. We had our dog with us (as did many other families) so could not have gone inside.

Halfway through our meal, another family sat at the neighbouring table and both adults proceeded to light up cigarettes. So, we ended up with smoke wafting across us. Both boys stopped eating pretty much immediately, and started saying they felt sick. (Yes, they are probably hypersensitive but, it was pretty grim.) I gave up on trying to convince them to finish their lunch and we left the area, as did another family who hadn't finished their meals either.

There were no ashtrays on the tables, so the café clearly don't endorse smoking there.

AIBU to think this is a) Fucking inconsiderate behaviour and b) to be amazed that it is legal to smoke round an area where people are eating, even if it is outside.

[Scholes34]

YANBU, but too many people will come on here and tell you that you are.

[cricketballs]

A bit of sun and the MN threads fuming that people dare to smoke outside appear

[chipsandpeas]

yes its inconsiderate but if there wasnt any no smoking signs then its allowed

[TroysMammy]

I can't stand the smell either but you'll soon get smokers on here flaming you because they are no longer allowed inside to smoke so where should they go? It is for this reason I am no longer able to eat al fresco in public.

[SoloDance]

Yay! the summer smoking threads have started.

[RachelRagged]

Oh ffs THIS again

You wanted smokers OUT of pubs, offices, restaurants and cafes . What more do you want ??!

By the way I am a considerate smoker but this outrage , this faux rage pisses me off on here . What about CAR FUMES ?? Hmmm

Suck it up buttercup !!!

[Sylvannas]

Speaking from a smokers perspective I am very sensitive to this I would never sit and smoke on a table next to children. I'd find a table out of the way or on the end so I wouldn't be upsetting anyone. If I can't avoid it I step out of the seated area out the way of others when I have a smoke. Unless they are smoking too in which case no need.

As for the no smoking at all part I think you are B U. But the smokers were in the wrong on this occasion and should have been more wary of those around them.

[RachelRagged]

But yes they were being bloody rude and that reflects on all us smokers so on that ,, no YANBU

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

I'm a non smoker but I don't mind outdoor smokers, It wouldn't put me off eating food if someone lit up by me.

[RachelRagged]

Same as you Sylvannas .. Odd though , everyone on MN seems to come across the ignorant rude ones .. ALWAYS !

[PuntCuffin]

I didn't specifically look for no smoking signs.

Smoking family did not appear to be using the café to eat, just making use of the seating, despite there being seats maybe 20 metres away, outside the fenced off area for the café.

[BitchPeas]

Unless they are blowing it right in your face from about 3 inches away I have no idea how it could bother you or your DC that much.

There is a smell to smoking but when it's outside it's not that overpowering. At all. I just don't get the hysteria.

(I'm a non smoker by the way!!)

[Trifleorbust]

You should know that people are going to smoke outside, which they are legally entitled to do, and eat inside. The smoking ban was successful in that it chased all the smokers out of confined public places. It's a bit rich to want the outdoor areas now the sun has come out

And I am a non-smoker, hate the things.

[PuntCuffin]

Sorry, wasn't aware this was an annual thread. I haven't ever seen one before.

And clearly 'not all smokers' hash tag should be applied.

Those who step away from eating areas, no issue. I am not trying to suggest it should be completely outlawed.

[RoseAndRose]

People smoke in the smoking area.

Oh dear.

Go indoors if you want to be in the smoke free area. Or swop? Smokers have indoors, and you have outdoors - and only outdoors - regardless if time of year, temperature and precipitation.

[Robinkitty]

I'm a smoker but I wouldn't have smoked in this situation, I go to some lengths to avoid smoking around non smokers.
If someone lit up around my children I wouldn't like it, I think it's selfish and inconsiderate.

[PuntCuffin]

Trifle - should I have put our dog in the car and risked people frothing about leaving a dog in a car on a sunny day?

[RoseAndRose]

It is a a perennial thread. Usually when there has just been a sunny weekend. Not when smokers use the smoking area when it's miserable weather

[Trifleorbust]

PuntCuffin:

But they don't have to step away from eating areas. You are perfectly free to eat your lunch smoke free...indoors.

[Trifleorbust]

PuntCuffin:

How is your dog anyone else's problem?

If you want to take your kids and your dog to lunch, you will have tolerate the smoke. If you can't do that, leave your dog at home or don't eat out.

[AcaciaYou]

YANBU. It's revolting.

[FrenchLavender]

I would find it impossible to finish my food as well. I can't bear it if there is smoke drifting into my face. The thing is, sometimes, especially in the summer and on holiday in warm climates, you can only sit outside to eat so it's not like you have the choice. I hate it and I think it's incredibly inconsiderate of people to assume that just because they are outside it's fine to light up within a few feet of people who are eating.

When their smoke is drifting directly into my face and they pretend not to notice it makes me feel murderous.

[ThymeLord]

YABU. It's outside. You wanted us outside and we have been and always are, even when there's no sun shining. You can't now claim the outside as well. It's going to blow away anyway.

[PuntCuffin]

Rachel - as ever, the considerate people don't get noticed, precisely because they are being considerate. And most people probably are. As you say, it is the ignorant minority which give the rest a bad reputation ( like dodgy drivers, red light jumping cyclists and people who don't clear up after their dogs....)

[specialsubject]

The unexpected backlash of the smoking ban is that it can now be a choice between stuffy indoors and a cloud of turd vapour outside.

Solution - picnic on nice days. Easy to move upwind of stinkers if needed.