Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed by smoking in a children's park?

35 replies

possum18 · 18/06/2015 01:05

Took my 5yo godson to a children's play park this afternoon. 1 other family there with their 2 DC. Pushing my godson on the swing set, the man with his two children came over to push his DC next to me and lit up a cigarette and stood there smoking it. I was Shock and said loudly to my DP we had to go to the other area in the park as we were being smoked on!

DP was horrified that I had said it loud enough for the man to hear.

AIBU?

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 18/06/2015 01:13

I would have been...well not 'horrified' cos it's not exactly horrific but a bit embarrassed would be a better way to describe it for me.

I'm not quite sure what 'being smoked on' means...particularly in the wide open air.

I'd say his actions were impolite and a bit selfish but in the grand scheme of things no big deal health or even comfort wise in the outdoors.

But if you felt strongly enough to declare loudly you were being 'smoked on', you should probably have turned to the person in question like an adult and asked him to smoke outside of the pay area.

IrishDad79 · 18/06/2015 01:24

Adults who smoke around children are absolute scummers, in my opinion.

MineIsAGinAndTonic · 18/06/2015 01:29

Ask your council to ban smoking in children's play areas. It's a legitimate, evidence-based request. Lots of councils have done this.

They don't have lots of money to enforce but it's fairly self policing.

Original poster
possum18 · 18/06/2015 01:33

Thanks for opinions, on both sides Smile I think it was just frustrating that he hadn't smoked when playing on the other side of the park away from us, but lit up when he came over to where we were.

OP posts:
possum18 · 18/06/2015 01:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MidniteScribbler · 18/06/2015 01:52

Smoking is banned near children's playground areas here.

I think that anyone who walks in to the space of another person, regardless of where they are and lights up is rude. At least check first that the person doesn't mind.

silverglitterpisser · 18/06/2015 13:43

Smoking is banned in parks where I live. Doesn't make much difference tho, u still get those selfish arseholes who just can't wait that five minutes til they have their next cig n light up freely. Vile!

lydiarobinson · 18/06/2015 13:50

He was selfish and inconsiderate and maybe your loud comments will make him think next time.
Some smokers just seem to remain oblivious to the annoyance they cause others, despite it being well documented at this stage. You can hardly blame non smokers if they start to become a bit more blunt about their discomfort.

PoshPenny · 18/06/2015 13:52

Well I think you are being precious- you're out in the fresh air, the smoke disperses in seconds.

LashesandLipstick · 18/06/2015 14:20

YANBU. I'd have loudly asked the man to put out his cigarette. I've done that before, if people want to smoke fine but do it AWAY from other people

joopy79 · 18/06/2015 14:26

YANBU I hate it when they drop cigarette butts for my toddler to then pick up.

MrsCs · 18/06/2015 14:27

YANBU, smoke and destroy your own health, but do it far from people who did not ask to share polluted air

KoalaDownUnder · 18/06/2015 14:29

Lighting up right next to kids is vile and selfish, open-air or not.

gamerchick · 18/06/2015 14:31

Oooooo a smoking thread.. It's been too long man Grin Grin

hoobypickypicky · 18/06/2015 14:34

But it's in the open air!

I can see that you don't like the smoke drifting in your family's direction. I get that. But it's no different to it drifting towards you on the high street. It's offensive to you, I get that too, but what harm exactly is a couple of moments of cigarette smoke in the open air going to do to you all?

Is your objection not more on the principle of the action than a realistic fear of damage?

getbusyliving · 18/06/2015 14:39

Inconsiderate of the smoker, but it is outside and is still a legal activity.

yabu and a little childish in dealing with the situation imo

FarFromAnyRoad · 18/06/2015 14:44

Oooooo a smoking thread.. It's been too long man

This. It really has been too long. I expect that another two or three will be along any minute now - they always come in swarms!

LegoComplex · 18/06/2015 14:46

yanbu its disgusting.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 18/06/2015 14:53

Not everyone is reasonable.

Making loud passive aggressive comments is likely to earn you an aggressive response from some people. I would have just moved if I couldn't bear it.

Bumpandkind · 18/06/2015 15:02

My heavy smoking DH always leaves the playground for a fag and I'd be embarrassed if he didn't. However i don't feel the PA comments are a bit much. Like other posters have said, it's out in the fresh air so would not cause a significant risk and would only be unpleasant for a matter of seconds.

WorraLiberty · 18/06/2015 15:05

YANBU. I'd have loudly asked the man to put out his cigarette

Why loudly? The OP said the guy was standing next to her?

If she had politely asked him to put it out, he may well have done.

No need to be 'loud' or passive aggressive.

LashesandLipstick · 18/06/2015 15:10

Worra because the idea that anyone thought that was okay in the first place irritates me.

hoobypickypicky · 18/06/2015 15:15

If I were loud every time something irritated me you'd all be deafened!

LashesandLipstick · 18/06/2015 15:16

Hooby but smoking in a park is really inappropriate, it's not just being a little bit annoyed at something

PurpleDaisies · 18/06/2015 15:16

If you have a problem with people smoking in children's areas of parks why don't you lobby the council to get it banned? Lots of parks are smoke free now.

This guy was legally smoking so while I can see why you were annoyed (I hate cigarette smoke too) he wasn't actually doing anything wrong.