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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think public smoking should be banned

238 replies

CreamLampshade · 29/10/2024 15:57

I live in London and am sick of constantly trying to avoid breathing in disgusting cigarette smoke or the weird sickly smell of vapes. There’s only so much you can swerve, speed past people or cross the road. I feel it’s very selfish to smoke in public spaces, especially crowded streets when people can’t avoid breathing it in. Why can’t people take responsibility for their own health - and others - and just give it up? It’s disgusting and really selfish.

OP posts:
Greencustard · 29/10/2024 21:45

CreamLampshade · 29/10/2024 20:01

That’s not true. You see homeless people smoking. It’s such a pernicious habit that they’d prioritise it over eating. It’s sick.

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And yet you say it's easy to give up and people should just quit.

Greencustard · 29/10/2024 21:43

CreamLampshade · 29/10/2024 19:50

They’re just replacing one addiction with something even more addictive, and looking stupid in the process. I don’t really care what they do with their bodies tbh, but I don’t want it in my face.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6651627/#:~:text=The%20nicotine%20dependence%20levels%20measured,1.6%3B%20p%20%3C%200.001).

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That's an American based study. Vapes in America are not the same as European vapes. They're twice/triple the nicotine strength for a start. They also had ingredients in them that are banned in Europe.

Mamma152 · 29/10/2024 21:28

I can't stand it either OP. I'm heavily pregnant and need to sit at bus stops and the number of times people come to wait for a bus and light up next to me. I walked away once to wait somewhere else and I could still smell it more than 10m away.

NoraLuka · 29/10/2024 21:25

I agree that smoking is evil and should be banned, etc. but there’s something so preachy and sanctimonious about some (not all!) anti smoking people that just makes my skin crawl. I don’t even smoke anymore but this thread has made me want to light up for the first time in ages (I’m not going to!)

XChrome · 29/10/2024 21:16

CreamLampshade · 29/10/2024 16:10

I think if smoking and drinking are the only things saving you from misery then you need to look at your priorities. That’s a very sad life.

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ITA. Quite a strange thing to say.

XChrome · 29/10/2024 21:14

needapokerface · 29/10/2024 16:01

That's your opinion and you are entitled to have it, but so are the people who enjoy smoking or vaping.

If we all stopped smoking, drinking, vaping and generally having fun with our crappy hard working lives, we would all be dull and miserable.

In my opinion clearly

Are you seriously saying that you can't be happy without drinking and/or smoking?

Feelinadequate23 · 29/10/2024 21:02

I 100% agree! I swerve my way down the pavements of central London, trying to avoid breathing it in, it’s awful! Why can’t it be restricted to private homes and maybe dedicated “smoking clubs”?

we know it’s bad for health, so why do we allow it in areas where children and even babies and the elderly can be walking around?

toastandtwo · 29/10/2024 21:00

I’m with you OP. But the vaping thing is just madness. I think I read the other day that a shocking number of people in the UK who never smoked now vape. The government should never have let vapes come the market in such an uncontrolled way.
And it’s just really bloody depressing - the level of addiction people have. We were at a family event over half term which was clearly marked as ‘no smoking/vaping’ - and nobody was smoking - but I saw a few parents with a vape hidden up their sleeve trying to discreetly suck on it without anyone seeing. And it was just so obvious. I would be so ashamed to behave that way in front of anyone - but especially my children.

ForGreyKoala · 29/10/2024 20:53

I've never smoked or vaped but I think YABU. There are lots of things which irritate people, we can't ban them all. I couldn't care less if someone smoking or vaping passes me on the street, but then I'm not a typical MNer who thinks the world revolves around me.

fashionqueen0123 · 29/10/2024 20:49

CreamLampshade · 29/10/2024 16:24

It is probably disproportionately a working class habit. Increasing health and wealth inequalities. Another reason to hate it.

it’s an issue for me mostly in central london - ie daily commute through SE1.

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Yup when I go to London it’s much more noticeable. Like on a huge level. Also a lot of countries have higher smoking rates than us, so a lot of tourists smoking.

Original poster
CreamLampshade · 29/10/2024 20:48

Mummybearsthename · 29/10/2024 20:35

Me and my children have a medical condition triggered by fragrances. Vapes are an absolute nightmare for us in trying to navigate public spaces safely. I am disgusted at the amount of people who puff thick fragranced sweetshop smoke over other people without a care in the world.

You're right it's their choice to vape... But it should be ours not to be covered in it.

We can end up in hospital if we breathe in the wrong fragrance... And there are thousands others like us. The ignorance and selfishness of some people astounds me.

Yes this is a very good point. I don’t have allergies like you but I do feel / get sick with very strong fragrances and find the smell of vapes and smoke make me feel physically ill.

it just makes me sad that we knowingly ingest toxic fumes for the pleasure of what, a head rush and the taste of sweets, as you say?

going to public spaces must be such a worry for you and your family. I’m sorry about that.

a lot of people on the spectrum also suffer from strong smells.

OP posts:
Original poster
CreamLampshade · 29/10/2024 20:46

Gettingbysomehow · 29/10/2024 20:35

I'm planning action now. I can't stand it any more. If I was hoovering and playings music at 4am that would constitute a nuisance but polluting my home with foul toxic smoke is fine.

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Good for you. Exactly!

OP posts:
Mummybearsthename · 29/10/2024 20:35

Me and my children have a medical condition triggered by fragrances. Vapes are an absolute nightmare for us in trying to navigate public spaces safely. I am disgusted at the amount of people who puff thick fragranced sweetshop smoke over other people without a care in the world.

You're right it's their choice to vape... But it should be ours not to be covered in it.

We can end up in hospital if we breathe in the wrong fragrance... And there are thousands others like us. The ignorance and selfishness of some people astounds me.

Gettingbysomehow · 29/10/2024 20:35

CreamLampshade · 29/10/2024 20:28

I’m so sorry about this. I think I would honestly consider moving! Or telling them to stop. It’s completely unfair on you.

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I'm planning action now. I can't stand it any more. If I was hoovering and playings music at 4am that would constitute a nuisance but polluting my home with foul toxic smoke is fine.

Original poster
CreamLampshade · 29/10/2024 20:28

Gettingbysomehow · 29/10/2024 20:28

I'm sick to death of smokers and their stench. My next door neighbour smokes 60 a day, starts at 4 in the morning and stinks my house out. All smoking should be banned IMO.

I’m so sorry about this. I think I would honestly consider moving! Or telling them to stop. It’s completely unfair on you.

OP posts:
Original poster
CreamLampshade · 29/10/2024 20:28

Rachie1973 · 29/10/2024 20:27

lol I don’t think weed smokers hide from the police. No one cares about personal use. Makes me feel sick but each to their own.

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i mean, it’s not like I approve of weed. I just don’t smell it anywhere near like as often as acrid cigarette smoke and sickly sweet vapes.

OP posts:
Gettingbysomehow · 29/10/2024 20:28

I'm sick to death of smokers and their stench. My next door neighbour smokes 60 a day, starts at 4 in the morning and stinks my house out. All smoking should be banned IMO.

Rachie1973 · 29/10/2024 20:27

CreamLampshade · 29/10/2024 20:23

It’s not like that on my commute into work, which is in central london. Too many police I guess.

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lol I don’t think weed smokers hide from the police. No one cares about personal use. Makes me feel sick but each to their own.

Original poster
CreamLampshade · 29/10/2024 20:23

Rachie1973 · 29/10/2024 20:21

Smoking aside, seriously?

The stink of weed is everywhere! I come from a rather ‘affluent’ village in the New Forest and still smell it regularly!

The kids can buy it at school!

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It’s not like that on my commute into work, which is in central london. Too many police I guess.

OP posts:
peonym · 29/10/2024 20:23

SleepToad · 29/10/2024 20:10

Ok kier...sorry but I know you hate pubs, but on the list of things that the government needs to do to improve health I would have thought making the fast food industry responsible for improving its products and not using shit sugary, salty, fatty, ingredients. Removing shite ingredients from ready meals too. To educate people to be able to cook for themselves and not over eat. Would be higher priority

I think the difference with your analogy is that you eating fast food doesn't impact on my health. Some public area smoking does.

IMustDoMoreExercise · 29/10/2024 20:22

needapokerface · 29/10/2024 16:01

That's your opinion and you are entitled to have it, but so are the people who enjoy smoking or vaping.

If we all stopped smoking, drinking, vaping and generally having fun with our crappy hard working lives, we would all be dull and miserable.

In my opinion clearly

No one is saying that people should stop drinking or having fun because they don't give other people cancer.

Smoking does.

Rachie1973 · 29/10/2024 20:21

CreamLampshade · 29/10/2024 17:38

This is a very rare occurrence.

i want a simple thing, which is to walk from my workplace to the local train station without inhaling the smoke of 20-30 cigarettes or vapes.

i don’t see any open drug taking (!) or smell any weed!

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Smoking aside, seriously?

The stink of weed is everywhere! I come from a rather ‘affluent’ village in the New Forest and still smell it regularly!

The kids can buy it at school!

Growlybear83 · 29/10/2024 20:21

@CreamLampshade Actually, the smell of KFC or other fried chicken DOES make me heave and feel really sick.

Growlybear83 · 29/10/2024 20:18

If someone is sending unpleasant PMs, then you should report them to the mods. If someone has something to say, they should do so publicly on the thread.

EalingLucy · 29/10/2024 20:15

HappyMe6 · 29/10/2024 20:04

While I’m a non smoker myself ( and I hate the stench) it’s the smell of weed that I think is far worse to

I have a neighbour who smokes weed all the time, does my head in as I can’t open the window :(