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AIBU?

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Original poster

Smoking outside in populated public places.

380 replies

Readytoevolve · 22/07/2024 10:21

It was a beautiful day as I sat outside my local coffee shop with my 2 children, drinking smoothies and soaking up the sunshine.
Then BOOM, the table next to us lights up a cigarette and it blows our way.

The day before we were lining the streets for a tractor run…. We had a front view and the kids are at the front. Then BOOM, a man behind us lights up just as it’s beginning and is breathing the smoke down on us.

Why oh why is smoking allowed outside, and not just in designated smoking areas, where they can all sit and smoke together. It happens us all the time.

Yes they’re entitled to do it, but is it right? Hell no.

AIBU?

OP posts:
GinAndBeerIt · 22/07/2024 16:27

I don't smoke/vape and never have done. However on this issue I'll defend the smokers.
The none smokers demanded that the smokers being removed to outside to smoke, creating a smoke free environment for us none smokers, so outside they went in all weathers.
Then when the weather turns nicer, the none smokers want to invade the smokers space and demand that they move yet again, only to be nowhere to be seen when the cooler or wet weather returns.
Then they call smokers selfish.
You can't have it both ways.

reallytimetodeclutter · 22/07/2024 16:22

They might not like sitting next to your kids...

(I'm not a smoker and when I was, wouldn't smoke near children)

Cattery · 22/07/2024 16:22

Designated smoking areas are just paying lip service. No one can control the way the smoke blows on a breeze. Smoking inside has been banned and people are still not happy. Sit inside. You know the “rules” 🤷‍♀️

Changea · 22/07/2024 16:20

I kind of think it depends.

If the cafe had ashtrays on the table - YABU. But personally I wouldn’t smoke near children - however if it did have ashtrays, you essentially sat in the smoking area.

Sethera · 22/07/2024 16:20

Cinocino · 22/07/2024 16:08

I’m fairly certain there is a huge overlap between people who don’t believe in any controls on smoking and those who oppose policies on cleaner vehicles, or restricted zones for air quality.

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Why are you fairly certain of that?

SwannWay · 22/07/2024 16:18

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Werweisswohin · 22/07/2024 16:17

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PP didn't ask you to parent, she asked for some consideration.

SwannWay · 22/07/2024 16:17

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Werweisswohin · 22/07/2024 16:16

houseonthehill · 22/07/2024 16:14

The tables outside a cafe etc are the smoking area, really. It’s where we enjoy a coffee and a smoke year round. Few things more annoying than non-smokers cluttering up the terrace when there’s a sunny day and having the gall to be prissy about it. There’s alway the indoor tables for you if it’s an issue. Off you pop.

They're not 'the smoking area', They're just the only area you can smoke.

SwannWay · 22/07/2024 16:16

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Crazycatlady79 · 22/07/2024 16:15

I smoke, but not in populated areas and I wouldn't dream of doing it in close proximity to children. Just because I enjoy a cigarette doesn't mean I have to inflict it on others.
I don't care if that makes me sound self-righteous.

houseonthehill · 22/07/2024 16:14

The tables outside a cafe etc are the smoking area, really. It’s where we enjoy a coffee and a smoke year round. Few things more annoying than non-smokers cluttering up the terrace when there’s a sunny day and having the gall to be prissy about it. There’s alway the indoor tables for you if it’s an issue. Off you pop.

Werweisswohin · 22/07/2024 16:12

Errors · 22/07/2024 14:10

Hahhhaa - you’re funny.
Absolute gold these comments

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You find facts amusing? 🫣

Werweisswohin · 22/07/2024 16:12

ClaudiaWankleman · 22/07/2024 14:02

I'm not justifying smoking - I'm saying that someone smoking outdoors in accordance with the law isn't being unreasonable. Do you often have problems following logic and reasoning?

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It's selfish.

Changea · 22/07/2024 16:11

Cinocino · 22/07/2024 16:08

I’m fairly certain there is a huge overlap between people who don’t believe in any controls on smoking and those who oppose policies on cleaner vehicles, or restricted zones for air quality.

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Meh I smoke in my EV 🤷‍♀️

Heronwatcher · 22/07/2024 16:10

TBH I don’t enjoy it but there are other things that annoy me more, like playing music out loud on phones, long performative telephone conversations, vaping, eating fast food on public transport, excessive swearing and I’m realistic enough to know that all of these things aren’t ever going to be banned! So it’s probably on me to go and live in a cave!

Cinocino · 22/07/2024 16:08

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

I’m fairly certain there is a huge overlap between people who don’t believe in any controls on smoking and those who oppose policies on cleaner vehicles, or restricted zones for air quality.

Letmehaveabloodyusernameplease · 22/07/2024 16:06

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Yeah, thanks for that, it's selfish sods like you lighting up in crowds instead of going off somewhere out of the way that make having a kid with severe asthma even more difficult on nice days 👏

BIossomtoes · 22/07/2024 15:55

summershere99 · 22/07/2024 15:50

Or they could just not smoke perhaps? And allow non smokers to enjoy a smoke free environment outside …. They have the option to smoke at home or away from public areas.

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And people who object to smoke can enjoy a smokefree environment inside. They have the option to sit at an inside table.

summershere99 · 22/07/2024 15:50

InfoSecInTheCity · 22/07/2024 11:13

"sat outside my local coffee shop with my 2 children, drinking smoothies and soaking up the sunshine. "

To be fair to the smokers they sit there for the 48 weeks a year when it's raining, snowing hailing, windy and cold, it's a bit entitled to think you should be able to kick them out for the 4 weeks a year when it's decent weather and actually enjoyable to use those seats isn't it?

Or they could just not smoke perhaps? And allow non smokers to enjoy a smoke free environment outside …. They have the option to smoke at home or away from public areas.

DeadsoulsAngel · 22/07/2024 15:42

What used to get me, when my kids were small, was smokers trailing a cigarette at a child’s eye height around a busy shopping area. My children were 2-6 maybe and absolutely would not have been looking out for random burning things at eye height! The smell is also annoying op.

Londonlife2 · 22/07/2024 15:24

GiveItAGoMalcom · 22/07/2024 15:06

Would these people honestly not care if children were breathing smoke into their lungs because of their cigarette.

They might not spot the children through the thick fug of tractor diesel fumes?

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🙄 highly doubtful, unless they were stupid aswell as selfish.

BigAnne · 22/07/2024 15:21

@Readytoevolve so are diesel fumes which you forced your children to inhale.

ClaudiaWankleman · 22/07/2024 15:18

Readytoevolve · 22/07/2024 15:10

Gosh to all the tractor haters, when you sit down to eat your next meal, veg or meat and beyond, know it was likely transported by a tractor. They’re far more useful than smoking.

The tobacco duty contributes about £8.8 billion a year, which covers the total farming subsidies with multiples to spare. Smoking is good for tractors.

See, we can all say silly things.

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