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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
AzureBlue99 · 22/07/2024 12:52

Or the smokers that gather outside stations where you have no option to walk out without going through them.

OMGsamesame · 22/07/2024 12:52

Readytoevolve · 22/07/2024 11:07

I’m totally downplaying my frustration in my OP. It’s just constant, it makes me so angry.

Australia have the right approach. I’m sure if it was implemented in the UK it would be grumbled at. But also wonder what are the profile of people who smoke now are? It used to be all ages and classses…. Now what is it? I know my parents smoked when we were kids but stopped eventually.

It's gross. I notice some people moving away /going downwind when I was visibly pregnant/when I'm with the baby. But I've always hated cigarette smoke and don't want to risk being exposed to it just because I'm outside.

Klippityklopp · 22/07/2024 12:50

Readytoevolve · 22/07/2024 12:35

I find it funny how I’m getting push back on this, so I assume those who are belittling my feelings on the matter are likely the offenders.

Tell me smokers, do you like being smelly? Cause despite popular belief amongst smokers, you still smell after taking a mint, your clothes wreak after smoking and non smokers are too polite to tell you. They just move away.

Why on earth would you find this funny when you posted in AIBU? You are literally asking a question for different posters responses, did you only want responses that agreed with you?
Oh and by the way I hate smoking but I'd never post in AIBU and then be shocked that others have different views

SemperIdem · 22/07/2024 12:47

Move if it bothers you so much. They’re not (currently) doing anything wrong.

Shoyden · 22/07/2024 12:47

You can't actually tell that you stink when you're a smoker because it destroys part of your ability to smell and taste. It's actually surprising that so many cafes allow it ourside as smelling it surely reduces the appetite of everyone around and makes people less likely to buy from there.
Walking though any town or city centre stinks as they all line the streets, I try to hold my breath when I can. I think it's the height of rudeness to light up after sitting next to someone though. When it happens to me I simply get up and move away but I appreciate you might not have been able to easily with kids that day.

Original poster
Readytoevolve · 22/07/2024 12:45

This reply has been deleted

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

😂😂

OP posts:
SwannWay · 22/07/2024 12:44

This reply has been deleted

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

InfoSecInTheCity · 22/07/2024 12:42

Readytoevolve · 22/07/2024 12:35

I find it funny how I’m getting push back on this, so I assume those who are belittling my feelings on the matter are likely the offenders.

Tell me smokers, do you like being smelly? Cause despite popular belief amongst smokers, you still smell after taking a mint, your clothes wreak after smoking and non smokers are too polite to tell you. They just move away.

Ah so yet another 'AIBU?' where what you actually meant was 'I'm right, they're wrong, everyone validate me'.

SwannWay · 22/07/2024 12:36

This reply has been deleted

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

Original poster
Readytoevolve · 22/07/2024 12:35

I find it funny how I’m getting push back on this, so I assume those who are belittling my feelings on the matter are likely the offenders.

Tell me smokers, do you like being smelly? Cause despite popular belief amongst smokers, you still smell after taking a mint, your clothes wreak after smoking and non smokers are too polite to tell you. They just move away.

OP posts:
SwannWay · 22/07/2024 12:34

This reply has been deleted

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

BIossomtoes · 22/07/2024 12:24

Readytoevolve · 22/07/2024 11:48

it does. Research is developing on this. But I assure you, it is as bad if not worse than smoking. I know a person in their 40’s who cough up blood when they exercise now and put it completely down to vaping. Naturally it’s hard to prove. But doctors can come to no other explanations.

Show quote history

Data shows you’re wrong.

DancingLions · 22/07/2024 12:15

You're describing 2 different scenarios.
A cafe is more of a controlled environment and some don't allow smoking at outside tables. But you really can't whinge about someone smoking on a public street.

At the cafe you had a choice, inside or outside, if you pick outside then you take that risk. Or you find somewhere that is non smoking outside also.

That's how it is right now. I think at some stage there most likely will be more restrictions on smoking. But for now you can moan, but that's how it is.

erikbloodaxe · 22/07/2024 11:51

And the tractors you were so keen to get up close to with your children were pumping out rose scented mountain air?

Original poster
Readytoevolve · 22/07/2024 11:48

BIossomtoes · 22/07/2024 11:12

It has no impact on your health. The ill effects of passive smoking were the reason for the smoking ban indoors. The smell is irrelevant.

Show quote history

it does. Research is developing on this. But I assure you, it is as bad if not worse than smoking. I know a person in their 40’s who cough up blood when they exercise now and put it completely down to vaping. Naturally it’s hard to prove. But doctors can come to no other explanations.

OP posts:
Original poster
Readytoevolve · 22/07/2024 11:46

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?

You smoke don’t you? Come on be honest.

OP posts:
Iwontlethtesungodownonme · 22/07/2024 11:42

I’m old enough to still be so happy that smoking is banned indoors now.

RishiIsACuntWaffle · 22/07/2024 11:40

Yanbu but surely it should just be banned.

KimberleyClark · 22/07/2024 11:39

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?

When we had a dog there were fewer cafes that allowed dogs inside,we often sat outside in less than ideal weather, and I used to get annoyed that the outside tables were taken up by non dog owners in the summer. But accepted it was my choice to own a dog, just like it is a smoker’s choice to smoke. I never thought non dog owners were being entitled wanting to sit outside in the sun.

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?

BIossomtoes · 22/07/2024 11:12

Hurdygurdygirl · 22/07/2024 10:55

We should include vaping in this. It smells at least as bad as smoking.

It has no impact on your health. The ill effects of passive smoking were the reason for the smoking ban indoors. The smell is irrelevant.

DoopSnoggySnogg · 22/07/2024 11:11

It’s just selfish. I smoked on and off through my younger days and we would always take ourselves to either a smoking area or just a corner out the way of other people. To light up while standing next to kids is awful!

Original poster
Readytoevolve · 22/07/2024 11:08

Hurdygurdygirl · 22/07/2024 10:55

We should include vaping in this. It smells at least as bad as smoking.

Vaping is allowed indoors. It’s just crazy. It’s also enabling the younger generation (teenagers) to do it, it’s just too easy. The under 18 law has has very little impact from what I’ve understood in my area.

OP posts:
Original poster
Readytoevolve · 22/07/2024 11:07

I’m totally downplaying my frustration in my OP. It’s just constant, it makes me so angry.

Australia have the right approach. I’m sure if it was implemented in the UK it would be grumbled at. But also wonder what are the profile of people who smoke now are? It used to be all ages and classses…. Now what is it? I know my parents smoked when we were kids but stopped eventually.

OP posts:
Hurdygurdygirl · 22/07/2024 10:55

We should include vaping in this. It smells at least as bad as smoking.

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