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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be really annoyed with the smokers outside the hospital?

140 replies

bumbleymummy · 04/07/2014 14:49

There are no smoking signs everywhere and there is an allocated smoking area right opposite the entrance to the hospital but there were about 10 people all smoking right outside the hospital doors. Everyone has to walk past them inhaling their smoke. WIBU to say something to them? Point them in the direction of the smoking area? I have a feeling I'd be old to f-off but why should they be allowed to stand there unchallenged?

OP posts:
D0oinMeCleanin · 04/07/2014 14:52

Didn't we do this thread a few weeks ago?

Pretty sure the consensus was along the lines of "smokers are evil and should be rounded up and shot at dawn" etc.

MrsWinnibago · 04/07/2014 14:53

YABU.

WashingFanatic · 04/07/2014 14:54

Your health will probably be more damaged by the stress caused by getting so worked up over it.

YWNBU to report it to...I don't know...the receptionist/security/porter etc. I personally wouldn't say anything to a group of ten people all standing smoking together.

I just can't bring myself to be worked up over stuff like this really.

Vintagejazz · 04/07/2014 14:54

They do this in my local hospital as well. Ignore the smoking gazebo a few yards away and blow their smoke in the faces of all the visitors and outpatients trying to get in the door.

Original poster
bumbleymummy · 04/07/2014 14:56

Didn't realise there was another thread recently. I'm just bringing a friend in and out this week so I've noticed it. It just seems so inconsiderate.

OP posts:
beccajoh · 04/07/2014 14:57

I would be tempted to write a complaint letter. The hospital isn't enforcing their own rules.

Original poster
bumbleymummy · 04/07/2014 14:57

They're not all standing together - 10 individual people all thinking they can be the exception to the rule.

OP posts:
MrsWinnibago · 04/07/2014 15:04

Perhaps some of them are unwell? Maybe they've recently had bad news about a relative? Three seconds worth of holding your breath...YANBU to be concerned about 2nd hand smoke of course. But outside a hospital? It's a place of worry, stress and illness. I'd not get too worked up.

limitedperiodonly · 04/07/2014 15:05

Didn't we do this thread a few weeks ago? Pretty sure the consensus was along the lines of "smokers are evil and should be rounded up and shot at dawn" etc. Grin

OP reports that they are randomly milling about instead of standing together DoIn. Sounds like a job for a sharp-shooter. Obviously poison gas would be far less of a drain on precious NHS funds but not appropriate, given the circumstances.

limitedperiodonly · 04/07/2014 15:14

They do this in my local hospital as well. Ignore the smoking gazebo a few yards away and blow their smoke in the faces of all the visitors and outpatients trying to get in the door.

It's deliberate, you know. I've seen the filthy bastards practising. It's kind of sad, given that some of them have emphysema and would struggle to blow out a gnat's lighted fart.

Still, we all take enjoyment where we can. Some people spark up a B&H, some people condemn the habit...

D0oinMeCleanin · 04/07/2014 15:15

They -me should all be given free fags, there'll be no need for sharp shooters then. They'll I'll-- DIY it Grin

Sirzy · 04/07/2014 15:16

YANBU

Smoke away, but do it where nobody else has to walk through your smoke to get into the hospital.

Summerbreezing · 04/07/2014 15:18

YANBU. Every time I go into the hospital nearby us the entrance is lined with smokers. There's a smoking area about ten steps away, but no they prefer to smoke into the faces of other people, including patients going in and out of the hospital - some of who may have breathing difficulties or lung problems.

limitedperiodonly · 04/07/2014 15:29

To be serious about this, I imagine that hospitals do not and possibly cannot set up smoking areas, given that they will be encouraging a lethal habit.

Much like the Cancer Research Fund could produce a low-cost and top quality range of sunscreens, but don't because they would be encouraging sunbathing.

I don't smoke. I have been in hospital for a very serious illness unrelated to smoking a number of times.

The last time, when I was well enough to venture out, I noticed the smokers round the door but refrained from the urge to kick them aside despite the fact that even in my weakened state I could have taken out a few of the more decrepit ones.

Just hold your breath for 10 seconds if it bothers you that much.

Vintagejazz · 04/07/2014 15:33

My local hospital does have a smoking area - and it's only a few feet from the entrance and has seating provided. So there is absolutely no need whatsoever for people to stand around the entrance smoking. It's just lack of consideration.

morethanpotatoprints · 04/07/2014 15:34

If the smoking shelter is opposite the entrance, i.e off the premises what do you expect people to do who can't leave the premises?

Sirzy · 04/07/2014 15:37

Just hold your breath for 10 seconds if it bothers you that much

Not sure that is that easy for DS when i am carrying him into A and E mid asthma attack!

offtoseethewizard64 · 04/07/2014 15:44

This happens at my local hospital too. No one in the smoking shelter but lots of people standing right outside the door of what is the Maternity and Chldrens unit. So sick children and pregnant women having to walk through a cloud of cigarette smoke just because the lazy **ers can't be bothered to move a couple of yards further away and go into the designated shelter.

But if the hospital isn't going to bother enforcing the rules then why would anyone bother to adhere to them.

TouchOfNatural · 04/07/2014 15:48

I get so tired of the selfishishness of smokers and then on threads like this you have the smart arse comments of 'shoot them'... 'Hold your breath'.

THE SMOKER is breaking rules.. Why do they feel entitled to do so?? Boggles my mind. Biggest litterbugs too. Everywhere you go - cigarette stubs. They are a breed of their own.

And as a poster says - hard for your child to do mid asthma attack - as a SEVERE asthmatic too - very hard to do. But smokers don't care.. Even about their own kids.

I long ago stopped expecting smokers to be considerate around others with their life threatening (for many of us), disgusting habit... And when a smoker is considerate, it's a breath of fresh air. Literally.

Misspilly88 · 04/07/2014 15:48

Same here at my local maternity unit & hospital. Makes my blood boil. Could you mention it to the. Reception staff just inside the door? I sure they love it too!

Vintagejazz · 04/07/2014 15:50

Morethan it's a few feet from the entrance to the hospital building. It's inside the hospital grounds.

Vintagejazz · 04/07/2014 15:52

And I agree re the smart arse comments. Some smokers are just totally oblivious of other people and have no idea of how much their smoke annoys non smokers. When they're confronted with complaints they just brush them aside and hide behind this sniggering, 'oh don't be such a grouse' front.

morethanpotatoprints · 04/07/2014 15:55

vintage

Are you the OP?
It reads like its opposite the entrance to the hospital and not on the grounds.

In that case there is no reason to be exactly outside the door, but I can understand why some people may not be able or allowed to go too far away from the entrance.

I was outside having a cig within 30 mins of having dd, the midwife told me to stay outside the entrance near to the alarm in case I needed help.

Vintagejazz · 04/07/2014 16:01

No I am not the OP but I posted also about a smoking area near the entrance to the hospital so I thought your post was addressed to me..

The pathway to our hospital building has several 'No Smoking' signs nailed to the wall so people should not be smoking there.

The midwife was being unfair to other patients and visitors to tell you to smoke at the entrance to the hospital.

limitedperiodonly · 04/07/2014 16:07

vintagejazz the hospital I was treated at doesn't own the pavement and didn't set up a shelter or to my knowledge shoo away smokers from gathering under their canopy. I guess they thought it wasn't that big a deal in the scheme of things.

What's the situation is at your local hospital?Is it like this?

I've given that local paper link because I used to work for one and hyperbole such as 'clouds of smoke' was our stock in trade.

In reality the smoking shelters are a response by administrators and clinicians to managing minimal risk versus maximum and very vocal and self-righteous hatred of a minority group. I'd say that opposition is disproportionate and I have never smoked.

In this case it's smokers but sometimes it's fat people, who the self-righteous hate even though they don't increase anyone's bulk by breathing their doughnut fumes on you whether accidentally or maliciously.

Many other hospitals no longer allow smoking on their premises - so hospitals with extensive grounds require smokers to go outside, even if that is quite a long way away which might be difficult or impossible for some people or risky for anyone, including health care professionals who have to indulge their filthy habit in lonely places off campus.