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AIBU?

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Original poster

Smoker outside school

33 replies

Polkadotbabushka · 17/01/2025 08:56

On my drive to work in the morning I pass a secondary school and every morning without fail there is a member of staff (wearing a lanyard) leaning against the wall smoking a cigarette in full view of all children entering the school. Now it isn’t illegal and she’s leaning on the school wall not on the grounds but to me it just seems wrong. Would it bother you?

OP posts:
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Seagullproofoldbag · 17/01/2025 10:31

Ar least at my son's school they cross the road and hide behind some bushes in the public carpark. I love bumping into my son's form tutor ( whilst walking my dog) and teasing him about it. 🤣

Trainors · 17/01/2025 10:02

It’s likely against school policy and yes looks terrible. But this isn’t a hill I would die on. Smoking is no longer cool anyway and i doubt that seeing one of their teachers smoke is in any way going to make the kids think it is.

Starlight1984 · 17/01/2025 09:54

Beekeepingmum · 17/01/2025 09:43

To be fair if anything is going to put off teens from smoking it will be being seen to do the same as the tragic middle aged teacher alone at the gate. Maybe every school should have one.

This 😂

Original poster
Polkadotbabushka · 17/01/2025 09:54

SquaredShoulders · 17/01/2025 09:49

It’s vital that our little smashers don’t see anyone smoking. Under the theory of Fifth Hand Smoke, the image of a smoker enters through their eyes and gives them cancer. This can be avoided by blindfolding children if there is a danger of them seeing smoking activity - as long as they don’t hear the smoker taking a satisfying drag. If they do, BANG!, they get Ear Cancer.

You’re funny!

OP posts:
Doerx · 17/01/2025 09:51

YANBU OP. I judge all smokers and think it's rank. Don't do it around kids, and have some self control.

LakieLady · 17/01/2025 09:49

Berga · 17/01/2025 09:35

I couldn't get worked up about this, but maybe that's because in the 80s and 90s my teachers were smoking in their offices and staff room.

I don't think seeing an adult smoking will warp their minds.

At my school, a great cloud of smoke wafted out of the staff room the minute the door was opened.

That was in the 60s/early 70s though, when you could smoke almost anywhere, including the waiting room at the doctor's.

SquaredShoulders · 17/01/2025 09:49

It’s vital that our little smashers don’t see anyone smoking. Under the theory of Fifth Hand Smoke, the image of a smoker enters through their eyes and gives them cancer. This can be avoided by blindfolding children if there is a danger of them seeing smoking activity - as long as they don’t hear the smoker taking a satisfying drag. If they do, BANG!, they get Ear Cancer.

Beekeepingmum · 17/01/2025 09:43

To be fair if anything is going to put off teens from smoking it will be being seen to do the same as the tragic middle aged teacher alone at the gate. Maybe every school should have one.

Original poster
Polkadotbabushka · 17/01/2025 09:43

Gogogo12345 · 17/01/2025 09:37

Lol many secondary schools it's the kids light up as soon as they are out the gate. When I was at school it was in the toilets .

Tbh I feel more surprised at seeing the huge crowd of healthcare workers congregate outside the rear hospital gate puffing away

Edited
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This infuriates me too trust me!! Standing by the no smoking sign!

OP posts:
Gogogo12345 · 17/01/2025 09:37

Polkadotbabushka · 17/01/2025 09:07

I guess it may be a designated area and legally anyone could smoke there but it’s next to the front gate with all the children walking past. It just looks bad! IMO!

Lol many secondary schools it's the kids light up as soon as they are out the gate. When I was at school it was in the toilets .

Tbh I feel more surprised at seeing the huge crowd of healthcare workers congregate outside the rear hospital gate puffing away

TheBeautifulMoors · 17/01/2025 09:37

MyNameIsErinQuin · 17/01/2025 09:04

Our policy is not smoking in school or within sight of students during the day so it wouldn’t be allowed. Assume local school is different or it wouldn’t be happening.

This was the policy at a couple of schools I worked at for a while. I think it’s a sensible policy.

NoraLuka · 17/01/2025 09:36

poemsandwine · 17/01/2025 09:21

I do, too. Regularly.

Show quote history

Our art teacher used to ask us if anyone had a light 😁

Berga · 17/01/2025 09:35

I couldn't get worked up about this, but maybe that's because in the 80s and 90s my teachers were smoking in their offices and staff room.

I don't think seeing an adult smoking will warp their minds.

BananaBender · 17/01/2025 09:34

Illegal where I live. Smokers need to be 5 metres from the school boundary. Not far enough IMO when it’s 10 metres for outdoor playgrounds and under 18s sport.

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/staying-healthy/smoking/laws

Smoking laws in Queensland

Find out the regulations about smoking and smoking products.

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/staying-healthy/smoking/laws

Starlight1984 · 17/01/2025 09:30

I'm an ex smoker but I would definitely start again if I had to deal with a classroom full of teenagers every day!

As others have said, it's not illegal and I doubt the kids pay the blindest bit of attention.

poemsandwine · 17/01/2025 09:21

motelhotel · 17/01/2025 09:16

I miss the 90's 😭

I do, too. Regularly.

motelhotel · 17/01/2025 09:16

I miss the 90's 😭

frenchnoodle · 17/01/2025 09:16

BlondeMamaToBe · 17/01/2025 09:04

It doesn’t exactly look great or set a good example does it?

So 🤷

Secondary school kids will have seen people smoke, maybe even.... Loving family members puffing on a cigarette 😱.

Pumpkincozynights · 17/01/2025 09:13

I think it looks terrible. Then again I think anyone who smokes in public looks terrible. It’s never a good look.
I have my personal reasons for hating smoking. Don’t think there is much you can do about it though.

timothynicebutdim · 17/01/2025 09:12

I don't think secondary students are looking to their teachers for what's cool tbh.

TheatreTraveller · 17/01/2025 09:12

I wouldn't complain but I do believe it's unprofessional and sets a really bad example.

Boomer55 · 17/01/2025 09:11

It’s legal. It’s outside. 🤷‍♀️

Pippa12 · 17/01/2025 09:11

You’re not wrong. Looks terrible. YANBU

itsalwaysthesame · 17/01/2025 09:10

I am a smoker myself but I would not be happy about a member of staff smoking outside the school in front of children. It sets a bad example and is really unprofessional.

biscuitsandbooks · 17/01/2025 09:09

I'm surprised it's allowed - most schools here have a policy about smoking on or near the grounds.

That said I wouldn't complain about it - adults are free to smoke if that's what they want to do.

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