to be enraged at all the smoking on train platforms?

[matildamatilda]

Train platforms are non-smoking! It's not like I can wait for the train somewhere else. I have asthma and also smoke stanks.

So many ticket checkers standing around and I have never seen them ever say a word to the people smoking right in front of them.

They can make tannoy announcements about late trains but they can't make announcements, "Remember it's illegal to smoke on the platform!"

There are smokers on either side of the platform every single morning of my small-town station. The man behind the counter just sits there staring into space when he's not selling tickets. The smokers are in his line of vision. One morning I said to him, "Sorry, is smoking allowed on the platform now?" "Oh no, not at all." "But look..." And he shook his head and said, "Well I can't... I can't..." I just walked away from him.

I've written to [Region] Rail and got a lame response that I ought to call transport police when I see someone smoking. It also said that members of the public can be irate when asked not to smoke, so that was probably why the rail station staff were not approaching them.

So I'm supposed to call transport police and restrain the smoker until they arrive? Whilst the paid rail staff person stares into space?

Really I don't get fussed about crowds, kids, music, bikes or what-have-you on the train. But I'm so pissed off here it's not even funny.

Earlier today I nearly said to a ticket checker, "Yeah I'll show you my ticket when you ask that guy to put out his cigarette."

I've become that person.

I've seen it happen lots where I used to live in SE London, not so much where I live now (just outside the M25) I am guessing it's almost a regional thing - if nobody does it, people are probably afraid to, but if several people do, they'll just attract more.

I get a strong reaction to tobacco smoke, makes my stomach ache and my throat sore even from some distance away. Somebody smoking next to me even outdoors can cause me a lot of discomfort and pain.. after all, law of sod smoke always blows in the direction of the most anti-smoking person's face!

However, I take no issue at all with people who go to the end of the platform and do it, or at least a long way from other people. That's fine, it may technically be illegal but it's not bothering anyone. Go for it. Everyone's happy.

The ones I do take issue with are the ones who stand next to you and then light up, when I've chosen that spot because I know I have a greater chance of getting a seat there. Bad enough normally, but I've had people do that to me when I've been pregnant, or with small DC that need to go on laps.

And worse, with bigger DC in a pushchair when there's often only one seat per carriage on the trains I used to catch where you can sit with the pushchair next to you so it's not in the way. If I move, I lose my chance to get that seat, assuming it's not already taken, and end up either leaving DC on their own by the door where I can't see them (no chance) or standing the whole way. Yes, I'm bitter!

Or even more simply sitting next to me on the only bench and lighting up. When I'm sitting there clearly heavily pregnant and it is awkward for me to stand due to SPD.

Those are the people that ruin it for everybody else, pure selfishness. They're a minority obviously, but it's happened often enough times to me now for me to get totally sick of it. If you're going to light up where you're not allowed to, do it away from people and don't make them have to move and be potentially massively inconvenienced for your habit. It's only considerate.

Is 'you people' a phrase you use frequently, sounds a but twatty.

Given the OP used that as part of a riff on her own "overblown reaction" and therefore clearly meant it as hyperbolic self-mockery, you sound a tad defensive, tbh.

Not defensive. 'You people' sounds a bit 'I say, my good man' that's why it sounds twatty.

I don't care if people want to smoke, but if I'm standing somewhere, don't come and stand next to me and light up your cigarette. If I'm there first, I reserve the right to the fresh air. Go elsewhere.

Okay next time I'll say, "I say my good man," for the avoidance of doubt.

have to stop reading this thread.. i've been for 3 fags since it's started. it's like subliminal messaging

Lol gamer, I've been tempted too and I don't usually smoke at home. Too cold!

My next thread will be about Pringles.

Just don't smoke on the platform tomorrow or you'll have an ill-tempered asthmatic middle-aged woman sending SILENT RAGE SIGNALS at you.

Whatever you like dear.

actually i'm a considerate smoker.. I even take a spray to peoples houses who are quitting/have quit or dont smoke so I don't tempt them or stink to them after i've had one.

I don't want to quit though just yet.. the next budget thing I may rethink it.

I never smoke on plalforms, bus stops etc because its anti social. However I often have to move along platforms because of stinking rude perfume wearers. The smell makes me gag (issey mayake esp but all really). It is gross. Keep it to yourself. Especially ay 6am.

They do it at bus and tram stops even though there are signs saying not to and it drives me mad. The worst is when they go in the shelter or sit on the benches to smoke. Then you can't get away from it without going out in the rain. Young woman was sat smoking on the bench at a tram stop the other day. I am eight months pregnant and needed to sit down. I didn't feel I could ask her to stop so I had the choice of either stand or breathe her second hand smoke. Obviously I went for standing but it seemed inconsiderate as there are lots of reasons people might need a seat and many make you more sensitive to/ in danger from second hand smoke.

The other horrible thing is smoking in any kind of queue - how are people supposed to avoid you then?

50Bales, I suggest you reread it in context, and then grasp the OP's reference to her "overblown reaction" part before repeatedly calling her posting style twattish. Because right now, her self-mockery is making a lovely whooshing sound as it flies right over your head.

I would agree with you if it's a confined space but it's not really. Even if it's not allowed, rather than getting enraged why not try moving. As a pp pointed out it's a minor issue.

I am 'that person' too. . I know it makes me into a smug twit but whenever I hear the pissed off voice over the tannoy at Birmingham new saying '... and we remind you that it is illegal to smoke anywhere on the station platforms' some poor bugger standing on the edge of 12b away from everyone is thinking 'damn!'.

I do get a bit icked out by people who get on the train absolutely stinking, though. I know they can't smell it on themselves but it's horrible.

I really do wish they'd provide a smoker's area. It's an addiction and people can't smoke on trains anymore. So it's a bit much to expect them not to be able to in stations, either, if a journey is a long one. A small smoker's room, over-18s only, would sort it for all concerned, and where there isn't space for that then just an area at the far end of a platform, designated for smokers, could (sorry but right next to the buffet, the loos, or where the best seats will be on the train, and nuyuh).

YADNBU. In my experience though, discussing smoking with a smoker turns normally lovely people into selfish unreasonable ogres.

I smoke but I must say Im glad they have banned it from top decks of Buses, Cinemas , Railway Stations and Platforms etc . ..And to be honest if people cannot wait a while , on a platform, to have their next cigarette they must either have a strong addiction or smoke on platform out of boredom .
Now, this may sound odd seeing as I do smoke, but YANBU.

I've never seen it since it has been banned.

I have heard the occasional tannoy announcement reminding people it is not permitted. Not sure if these are made if they spot someone lighting up on CCTV.

Is it a country wide thing the banning of smoking on platforms ? I ask as I live in London and it is of course banned but last Summer I visited family and had to change trains at Oxford Station . .. people were smoking openly on the platforms which amazed me .. However, I did not join them .

I'm a part time smoker (!) but won't smoke on platforms. As far as I know it's covered by smoking ban so it's illegal. Ok maybe you won't die by being next to a smoker on a platform, but the smoker won't die by smoking somewhere it's legal!

YANBU

Think people can underestimate the effect second hand smoking can have. I'm (not particularly severely) asthmatic. If I'm out for dinner and someone goes out for a smoke, their breath can set me off when they get back if I'm not feeling great. Pain in the arse. And yes, standing near someone smoking outdoors who's smoking can be uncomfortable.

Yanbu - I would be happy for it to be banned in any public area. It was banned in pub and the stinky smokers just took over the beer gardens.

I've not noticed it at stations much though but the main stations I use are enclosed so I think it is enforced more - eg the trains I use announce as you approach Birmingham NS that there is no smoking anywhere in the station.

Worse than train stations, if you ever go to Notts QMC hospital you cannot get a breath of fresh air for a good 10 minutes walk from the hospital main entrance since the hospital utterly fails to enforce the no-smoking on hospital grounds policy - I am taking my sick child there and it is disgraceful that she has to walk through this.

And as for the poor hard done by addicts - they're not exactly struggling through cold turkey trying to quit are they? They are (usually quite happy with no thought of quitting) giving in to their disgusting habit which they see fit to inflict on me far more than any cocaine, heroin or meth addict ever has.

I've certainly witnessed a tannoy announcement when someone lit up on a platform - "Would the woman in the blue jacket on platform 3 please put out her cigarette, it is illegal to smoke on the platforms" or something along those lines. This was in Newcastle Station.

She looked mortified, and rightly so.