Smoking in public places - WIBU to ask them to move??!

[Umlauf]

I'm 6months pregnant at the moment so this is bothering me more than usual..

On at least 4 occasions this week, I've sat down with my DH on a public bench/beach/outside cafe/park. (I'm aware that people can smoke in public and its their right so we just don't sit next to anyone smoking - aside from passive smoking risks the smell just makes me gag now). There are loads of other places to sit so why do the smokers come and sit RIGHT NEXT TO me and my very visible bump and light up immediately?

If they were there first then fair enough, but why choose to come and sit next to the pregnant woman? I've seen it happen a lot where there are families with pushchairs too, people happily smoke in their baby's face...

And WIBU to ask them politely to sit elsewhere next time this happens? (Assuming an abundance of available seats, which there always are otherwise I'd understand)

I know they have a right to sit where they like, but isn't this just common courtesy? Same as I wouldn't play loud tinny music on a phone when sat right next to other people?

Well, I'm an arsehole. What the hell else did you expect?

Fwiw it's a pretty common although admittedly derogatory use of the word - health Nazi, grammar Nazi etc are phrases that I often hear both on these boards and elsewhere. If people think I am literally equating anti-smokers to those who manned the gas chambers then they probably have bigger problems than worrying about my witterings.

That comment was clearly intended to provoke a reaction crashdoll. It's not worth responding to. She's probably refreshing the thread every few minutes in the vain hope that she's caused mass upset and offence.

Witterings being the operative word.

When I was pregnant and this happened to me I would loudly say "oh God, I think I'm going to be sick again" and make a few heaving and belching noises. It make a few people move away..

I usually like to scan smoking threads for the defence of 'blah blah exhaust fumes blah' but in the future, I'll scan for references to the Third Reich.

SirChenjin said further up thread:

I used to say something along the lines of "I'm sorry to ask, but I'm pregnant and have really bad morning sickness - would you mind holding your cigarette so the smoke blows the other way please" whilst smiling really nicely and being v friendly.

As a smoker, if someone approached it like that of course I would move right away from them (not just move my cigarette away), probably whilst apologising to them for being inconsiderate; most people would, I'm sure. But the under breath mutterers and hand wavers do piss me off and I always pretend not to have noticed them.

Not that I would have deliberately sat next to someone in the first place if plenty more room available!

I lost relatives in the holaucaust and I don't find the comparison offensive - I just find it really really stupid.

It was a stupid comparison, but then she did admit to wittering so was obviously aware of how stupid she sounded

I am a smoker and would never sit next to a pregnant lady and light up. However there was an incident the other day that made me go a bit

I was in a local attraction in the outdoor cafe there is an area of picnic tables and chairs which are designated for smokers it has an ashtray and the sign that says smoking area. There were lots of empty seats and tables in the non smoking area. I was in the non smoking area but fancied a fag so went and sat down in the smoking area and lit up. There was a family on the the other smoking area table.

Next thing I know the father had a right go at me for smoking, I pointed out he was in the smoking area which was clearly marked and there were plenty of seats in the NS area and to move if he didn't like it.

Consideration works both ways IMO

wallison - no, I'm not going to 'catch cancer' from walking past you with your idiot-stick. It's just that you stink and are quite offensive. (As are your attitudes.) That's why I wouldn't want to be near you.

BTW I hope you don't drop ash and put your filthy dog-ends in a bin. Smokers are usually messy buggers too.

do you really think you're going to catch cancer as I walk past you?

No, but people stopping and smoking next to non-smokers (as this thread is about) could, and has in the past, caused my 3 year old to have a serious asthma attack. But hey as long as you can get your nicotine fix thats all that matters isn't it!

Actually doingthesplitz it iS illegal to smoke in bus shelters if they are covered IE roof and walls - but the chap on his own balcony was perfectly within his rights to smoke

I have to say op I hang my head in shame as a selfish ex smoker.

It really is one of the most selfish habits in the world, because you want your fag but sadly those around you have to share it also.

It has been proven now that passive smoking causes cancer and is full of pollutants and chemicals that the smoker is choosing to ingest but NOT the people in the vicinity.

In a field with one smoker in the distance getting some drift would not bother me, pregnant or no. But living in a city, smokers and pollution are everywhere.

It is rude and I cannot wait for the day smoking is out lawed.

OR

Simply ask them to wear a special head bag so their smoke is contained and only affects them?

Op, If it was as you described, and an empty seating area, there's no way i would sit near someone, pregnant or not, to smoke, I would go to the furthest table away from anyone and smoke.

If it was busy, and you asked me to move, i would say no, as that is the smoking area.

Smoking is bad and nasty, we all know that, but some people do it, when I was pregnant with DS and fag smoke was making me gag, I would move, as it was my problem iykwim.

When you are in public, sometimes you have to grin and bear it. Whatever it is. Or solve it for yourself.

I have just been to the cinema, and sat next to a chap who had the foulest breath ever. He didn't stink of smoke, but alcohol.
Should have I said something do you think?

Did his breath contain the same carcinogenic chemicals that second hand smoke does? If so, yes, you should have asked him to move.

I am not obsessed by carcinogenic chemicals, I live in a big city and can't really shelter myself from the risks of contemporary life, but he stank and was quite offensive (sic).

The risk of developing cancer from exposure to secondhand smoke is far, far greater than that exposure to air pollutants. Asking someone stinking of booze isn't really comparable to asking a smoker to move as they don't present a hazard on health grounds - although you were quite within your rights to ask him to move, you haven't got any real grounds for the request.

Have been an ex smoker for over 15 years now but I agree with RoseandViolet. Selfish, selfish habit.

I'm not obsessed with carceogenic chemicals but I am obsessed with my son being able to breathe and selfish smokers make that difficult for him.

I know the guy is entitled to smoke on his balcony, but it is annoying if you're eating out on yours and he suddenly comes out and starts blowing second hand smoke all over your food.

When I lived in an apartment my flatmates used to go outside the door to smoke. As do some of my friend's neighbours.

It's a public outdoor place, smoking is legal there, it may irritate you but pregnancy is not a top trumps card in that situation.

What is weirder is someone always chooses to sit right next to you if there are loads of other seats IMO

I am aware of this Sir, but it is highly unlikely to spend significant time breathing second hand smoke nowadays.
I didn't ask him to move, of course, but his stink was equally annoying as the stink of someone smoking a fag outdoors.
Actually, it was worse. I actually enjoy the the smell of a freshly lit up ciggy, especially if the coffee is brewing (it must be my madeleine ... being a child of the 70s...)

Oh, I meant significant