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.

usernumbernine I think it's a good idea for you to step away from the thread because you're reading too much into it.

I have not implied you should commit suicide, nor do I wish you to.

Same park in the winter where you'd want a hot choc.
Would you complain about smokers then.
Stop being so fuckin entitled and consider yourself lucky that smoking has been stopped in all indoor areas.
tell your little snowflakes they'd likely to have starved in days gone by when their teachers would have been smoking in their school dining hall.
How far many more people smoked and nobody tried to stop them, it was considered normal.
Give them a history lesson and thank your lucky stars.

I don't agree with smoking in doorways it isn't fair to non smokers, but outside at a cafe why not?
It's not the smokers fault you couldn't go in with your dog.

Oh wow! Slow cross posting. That has taken a disappointing downturn.

PuntCuffin Unfortunately so

Something needs to be done. I was sat indoors a Starbucks and looking out to the smoking area, saw a young man go outside and smoke next to a frail old lady who clearly had to get up because she couldn't take it.

I can't believe people used to smoke on planes and trains. Insanity.

I don't want my baby to come into a world where they have to walk in and out doors of public spaces where smokers are sat directly outside smoking away. Isn't it illegal in places like California to smoke anywhere in public? It should be restricted to people's back gardens and cars (only if there are no children).

I agree with cloud and other posters, I would hate to eat next to a dog. If I am outside I just accept that dogs are allowed and there is a risk one might turn up.

I'm a smoker and I would have moved away from the tables before I lit up. I wouldn't smoke at a table in my garden if my non smoking dh and dc were there as I'm fully aware that it is a filthy habit that can cause harm to those around me.

your little snowflakes they'd likely to have starved in days gone by when their teachers would have been smoking in their school dining hall

True

one flash of sun and out comes the top of the range whinge. Can't beat it 'happy sigh'.

People didn't complain when I smoked. Now I vape and everyone has something to say about that. Including how it will kill me and it's not safe and nobody knows what's in them and....
Was refreshing to see a hospital poster encouraging vaping the other day and also being able to vape in the grounds
I can't stand the smell of smoke now but I smoked heavily for a long time so I see both sides. The ban drove us all outside and now people don't want smoking outside either. But if we all switched to vaping which would save millions of lives, people would moan about that too....

Yeah I've noticed vaping has attracted a new breed of frothers. It has fangs, claws and venom.

Phyllis that's one of the other odd things I find about the smoking debate. My car is a company car, but no one other than family ever goes in it. Yet, I would be breaking the law to smoke in it or allow anyone to smoke in it, because it is considered a place of work .

I honestly don't want to ban it from all public spaces. Anywhere else round the park, no issue whatsoever.

How can you get cancer from somebody smoking in the fresh air.
You'd have to be standing next to them straining to get a lung full, everyday, maybe more than one smoker
I can understand that people don't like it, but ffs none/ anti smokers have never had it so good.

Ah I miss smoking loads me like. I'm like the fucking bisto kid when someone's smoking near by.

Bastard smokers smoking in the bastarding outside smoking areas.

It might be legal, but it is pretty rude to sit down next to people who are eating and light up.

PuntCuffin, I think it may be illegal in cars in some places around the world. The work car makes sense, given people with work cars can sometimes be transporting clients.

The chains need to do something. Perhaps Costa, Starbucks, etc need to take some responsibility and put some "no smoking" signs up?

And where were you all when the smoking ban came in with your pledges of going to the pub now it'll be more pleasant. That was one of the main gripes wasn't it? How many have shut down or been turned into bookies because people stopped going. Well apart from the ones who now provide comfortable smoking areas that get whinged about now.

Phyllis

They'd lose custom from the smokers.
Non smokers can go indoors, smokers can't.

They are hardly going to lose custom. They can't have a conscience as shown with their tax avoidance

Gamer - oh yes. I smell vaguely of shortbread steam. I can see how it's offensive

The first sign of good weather and all the non smokers tiptoe outside and become very, very offended. The smokers, however who've been outside all throughout the winter months minding their own business, now have to put up with the whining twats who think that now that the weather's better the outside space belongs to them and that it should be smoke free.
It doesn't work like that. Eat inside or stop bloody whingeing ffs

And where were you all when the smoking ban came in with your pledges of going to the pub now it'll be more pleasant.

Working! In a Hospital. Which used to have it's own smoking room! I was too young to go to the pub and get pissed

The smokers, however who've been outside all throughout the winter months minding their own business, now have to put up with the whining twats who think that now that the weather's better the outside space belongs to them and that it should be smoke free

Bit presumptious. I'm a non smoker who sits outside in all weathers. The two are not mutually exclusive.

Give up smoking you nutters! Save the NHS some money

Erm...if everyone stopped smoking the NHS would lose loads. Yes smokers cost the NHS, but more than make up for it in taxes on cigarettes.

I disagree with people smoking where others are eating, or around kids (even if outdoors) so YANBU OP

Dogs bite. Fags don't. You can avoid cigs but you cannot avoid mental dogs.

However I do find it hard to believe your children felt sick because of someone smoking outdoors. Unless they were sitting at your table blowing it in the kids' faces.