Smoking outside cafés?

[PuntCuffin]

Took my boys out to a local country park this morning. Decided we would have lunch while we were there so got ourselves settled at an outside table at the park café. We had our dog with us (as did many other families) so could not have gone inside.

Halfway through our meal, another family sat at the neighbouring table and both adults proceeded to light up cigarettes. So, we ended up with smoke wafting across us. Both boys stopped eating pretty much immediately, and started saying they felt sick. (Yes, they are probably hypersensitive but, it was pretty grim.) I gave up on trying to convince them to finish their lunch and we left the area, as did another family who hadn't finished their meals either.

There were no ashtrays on the tables, so the café clearly don't endorse smoking there.

AIBU to think this is a) Fucking inconsiderate behaviour and b) to be amazed that it is legal to smoke round an area where people are eating, even if it is outside.

"they are outside it's fine to light up"

Well, that's true. Because they are sitting in the smoking zone, an
DH so it's ok to smoke there.

I'd find it inconsiderate too, but mainly just because it'd set off my asthma, however smoking family can not possibly or be expected to know I have asthma and accommodate accordingly. I just shift out the way if possible. Most places I visit have smoking areas outside now anyway. Where people can congregate there and people who don't smoke can sit elsewhere.

Although I do think the neighbours on both sides of me seemingly having spliff parties either side of me this afternoon could have let me know. I'd have kept out my own garden then.

We were already there with food in front of us, so when you say 'eat inside', it would not have been so simple as to not take the dog with us or not eat out.

It is a a perennial thread. Usually when there has just been a sunny weekend. Not when smokers use the smoking area when it's miserable weather

Yes but outdoor dining areas are not smoking areas, are they? There are specific designated smoking areas and then there all other outdoor areas, where it may or may not be appropriate (or fair on others in the vicinity) to light up.

Smokers seem to think that indoors is for 'non-smokers and all of the outdoors is theirs. But why should non-smokers be inconvenienced by being forced inside on a nice day in order to stay away from the smokers?

As far as I am concerned smokers should be removed from wherever they are causing a nuisance. If it's winter and no non-smokers are sitting outside then you can smoke there. If it's summer and lots of non-smokers are outside then the smokers need to stand in a designated area well away from everyone else who might find it disgusting.

It's truly disgusting and very selfish of anyone to smoke around others who are eating.

Want to kill yourself? Fine, but don't smoke harmful substances near others. It really is entitled, selfish, vile behaviour.

What about CAR FUMES ??

the strawman appears.

PuntCuffin:

But you know people smoke outside. They're allowed to do so. If you wanted a guaranteed smoke free meal you should have requested an indoor table.

I sit outside in the winter to have a fag so I'm bloody going to sit outside in the summer too.

Ex smoker here: it stinks, if you smoke, you stink, it's bad for you and costs a bomb. There's so much out there to support you stopping, do yourself and your loved ones a favour and give up. I used to justify doing it, there is no logical need to smoke other than the addiction. Cars at least serve a purpose. Every excuse is your addiction speaking. And you stink.

YANBU

Times have moved on. It is no longer legal to smoke indoors in public spaces and is not really acceptable outside at places where people eat, drink, whatever. Designated smoking spaces should not be where people are sitting and eating. No ash trays generally means it isn't wanted there.

People want to inhale that shit that's fine. Don't inflict it on other people who want to enjoy a meal they have paid for. Fuck off and smoke somewhere a decent distance away from people who don't wish to have a gob full of smoke with their dinner.

I don't smoke and wouldn't enjoy eating next to two smokers. However, I defend their right to smoke outside since they have been banned from smoking inside.

Thus, YABU.

Mind you, it sounds like the smokey-joes could've been more considerate.

Give up smoking you nutters! Save the NHS some money. Stop defending your right to smoke. It's gross and deadly.

In Barcelona we asked for a non smoking table in a restaurant- unfortunately it was right next to a smoking table where the 2 young men chain smoked whilst they ate

We went home stinking! The smell is awful, more so with food - if you want to smoke - keep away from others

Save the NHS some money

They probably do. 1) Won't live as long in an increasingly ageing population. 2) Do you know how much a packet of fags cost? Smokers are probably net contributors.

Oh for goodness sake. One of you could have walked the dog back to the car and you could have left the dog in the car with a window cracked open while you ate, inside.

Smokers smoking outside where they're allowed. Well. Who'd have thunk it.

I find it hard to believe that children would actually vomit from cigarette smoke a table away outside on a day like today.

I am a non-smoker.

Yabu

I'm a non smoker and yes i think it's inconsiderate to smoke when people on the next table are eating especially children. BUT they're perfectly entitled to do so! Smoking is disgusting but it is legal and they were smoking in a legal place to do so with no signs saying it's not allowed.

You choose to take your dog out, accept that you will be sharing the space with others who also make choices that mean they can't go inside.

I can't get wound up by this.

It's their choice to smoke, it's your choice to have a dog.

Live and let live.

Both kids instantly 'felt sick'?!?

YANBU.

Very few places seem to allow smoking in their outdoor areas. Most recently a woman lit up in the courtyard cafe area that is part of our local gallery. The horror! The staff very politely told her it was no smoking and she stopped. Perfect. As far as I am concerned anywhere which serves food should be no smoking to protect the health of other customers and their staff. If you must smoke then off you fuck down the road, along the pavement and far away.

Why didn't you ask them to move or tell them it was bothering you?

you nutters!

Wow, that's not an offensive or anything.

Smokers seem to think that indoors is for 'non-smokers and all of the outdoors is theirs

Hmm. True. DCs Dad is a smoker. Works in a hospital. If him and his colleagues are found with a fag lit up before a certain designated point they risk disciplinary. But the patient with a blood gas in their arm and on a drip and bang outside the main entrance doors with a fag in their hand is fair game. Me and DD have learnt to cover our faces as we walk in to our appointments now.

But it's not a smoking area is it ?
It's outside

Save the NHS some money

They probably do

I very much doubt that. The last time I was admitted on to the respiratory ward for a week (so saw a few people come and go); I was the only one on the ward who didn't smoke. So i don't think they were many saving the nhs £ that week!

It seems that the non smokers on here are a nasty bunch.