to hoik up my judgey pants at the parents smoking in the kids play area...

[RachelHRD]

Seriously do people really think it's acceptable to smoke in a children's playground?

She came in smoking and he is now sat on a bench puffing away on a roll up...

I'd hoped that the kids would be free from inhaling toxic smoke here!!

[AmberLeaf]

There are restrictions on smoking outside - away from public buildings, designated smoking areas outside hospitals etc

They only relate to premises/places of work.

There is no law that says you can't smoke in the open air.

I agree with smoking restrictions relating to inside buildings even though they have pretty much killed the pub industry. we all know it is unhealthy, however I think when people get outraged over an adult smoking in a public place in the open air, it has gone too far.

If the smoking is being done near enough to children for it to be blowing past their faces, fair enough, but if its just a case of them being able to see that adult smoking, the no YABU.

[RachelHRD]

Surely though Amber if we have laws in place to protect adults from exposure to smoke outside the workplace isn't it ludicrous that we don't also protect children in a designated play area - that's just ludicrous!!!!

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

I just think that it's extremely sad that not even the fact it's a park aimed at babies and children, is subject to any thought on what is appropriate behaviour. Or what would just be a kind thing to do.

People used to have respect for places. Churches, grave yards, parks etc now no one seems to care where they light up.

[Twiceover]

Our local parks have signs up saying no smoking in the playground. I think it's good, why should kids breathe second hand smoke while they play?

[AmberLeaf]

No I disagree, if that play area was enclosed, then yes. But it was in a park? or outside space, no. so as I said before, unless the smoker was standing close enough then the smoke wouldn't be anywhere near any children.

The laws about smoking inside public buildings make perfect sense, the rules not laws about smoking outside those buildings less so.

Those rules are more about PR/image than anything else and IME tend to lead to a gaggle of smokers in the nearest spot possible, which then leads to that walking into a fugg of smoke that you mention.

[StephenFrySaidSo]

Why would it be disrespectful to smoke in a graveyard or outside a church? You seem to consider smoking akin to swearing at someone or having a fistfight!

[AmberLeaf]

I agree that it would be ideal for that adult to smoke away from the play area, but how much difference is there in them standing inside the area or the other side of the railings a few inches away?

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

Because I just think that someone visiting a deceased loved one might not appreciate the fag ends littering the grounds near by.

It's not the law I know but it's just something that I never saw as a kid and now like everywhere else people don't care what they drop. I realise that it's not exclusive to just fag ends but it's stil littering even though they are small and you can tread them in a bit. And that's just not a nice thing to do.

[AmberLeaf]

I really do agree with the restrictions as I think they help people to not smoke, but I find the shift in attitudes towards smoking really interesting, it is tobacco not crack, but you'd not know going by the way some people speak about it [not here necessarily, but in general] I am not denying how bad for people smoking is, but I just find the reactions of people interesting given that I grew up in a time where teachers smoked in classrooms.

[WorraLiberty]

Good Lord

Unless she's walking up to children and blowing it into their faces YABU

And quite OTT

[StephenFrySaidSo]

What makes you think smokers are automatically litterers??

[Mrsdoasyouwouldbedoneby]

This doesn't annoy m as much as what happened to us recently. We were at an event (so lots of people). In a break lots of people were moving around but it was fairly cramped slow shuffling to get about. I realised I kept getting a lungful of smoke. Was annoyed. Then I saw the reason (unfortunately after I had complained to dh about people smoking in such a packed crowd even tho it was outside), the bloke in front of me had a cigarette which he was handily holding down by his waist. In a crowd. He brushed so close to people he could have easily burnt someone. As it was we were left to breathe in his smoke from the cigarette. Later in same crowd a couple smoking in same fashion actually brushed a buggy with cigarette. Could these people not find a space to smoke in. Fine smoke but really. Not in a crowd... Crowd was so packed there was no way someone could eater drink or anything. He could barely move his arm up to his mouth. THAT annoys me. Open space less so.

[pianodoodle]

People used to have respect for places. Churches, grave yards, parks etc now no one seems to care where they light up

No. People used to smoke everywhere! Now less so.

[AmberLeaf]

Yes Ive seen many a wedding photo with fags in the hands of the bridal party!

[CharityFunDay]

I realised I kept getting a lungful of smoke.

I think you might be exaggerating a little.

[RachelHRD]

The problem is that someone who smokes near other people exposes them to second hand smoke which, even outside, can be harmful to their health. Someone sitting drinking a can of beer may not be pleasant to see but they are not doing something which can adversely affect the health of others (unless they're drink drive obv).

Banning smoking inside public places has made a huge difference to the amount of second hand smoke people are exposed to but I still think there is room for further improvements - designated areas for children should be top of that list because of the health implications and the poor example it sets. Let's face it smoking would probably have been banned/restricted further by now were cigarettes not such a big tax revenue earner for the Gov't.

I'm not saying ban it in all public places - although I'd be happy if it was - but have some common sense where children are concerned.

[Pickle131]

When someone smokes outside, the smoke doesn't just hang around them, it blows whichever way the breeze is travelling or just spreads outwards if it's not breezy. So second hand smoke can still be a problem. I abhor smoking in parks and outdoor seating areas if I can smell it because I know it's violating my lungs. Yes it makes me angry! YANBU at all!

[CharityFunDay]

I abhor smoking in parks and outdoor seating areas if I can smell it because I know it's violating my lungs.

Do you normally worry about smells 'violating your lungs'?

If so, how do you cope with farts?

[StephenFrySaidSo]

Some of you must have trouble being outside on a day to day basis. Do you ever enter the countryside an inhale a lungful of 'essence of cow' or go in a department store with it's vile mixture of aromas? Or how about the supermarket toilets with their 'spray the top of your head' air fresheners?

[specialsubject]

don't mind the smell of cow, but cigarettes really stink, as do smokers.

the problem is not of course the reek, but the mess. Ash, dog ends, papers. Never seen a smoker who wasn't also a litterer.

[HeySoulSister]

I think the I've cream outside school is just as damaging

[pianodoodle]

I wonder what the smokers were chatting about in the playground?

Probably something interesting

[morethanpotatoprints]

Rachel

If you smoked yourself it may suppress your appetite then your pants wouldn't be too big to give you a wedgie.

FFs, loads of people smoke in play area, yes I do myself.
It is fresh air, away from dc as I am sitting on a bench in the middle of a park. There are no NO smoking signs.

[FlusteredFairy]

Personally I think it depends if you're smoking where people have to walk past to get in or out of the play area. That's not on really.

Also a little bit selfish to smoke on a bench if there's only one seating area near the play area.

It would be easier if councils just put no smoking signs up in the park but the ones outside our local hospital get ignored so maybe they think no-one would obey them.

[monkeybuts]

I would leave a park if someone was really so inconsiderate to begin smoking- Why should my child and I have to even smell let alone risk breathing in your disgusting habit.. Its no good for anyone. .wanna damage your own body? go ahead. .But I don't see why the rest of us should have to put up with the smell and second hand smoke disturbing the fresh air we seek at a park.