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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think it will serve some smokers right if outdoor smoking is banned

484 replies

user1485342611 · 13/07/2017 12:32

Yesterday a friend and I were sitting outside a cafe in a park (no indoor seating) having a coffee. We were the only people there as it was late in the afternoon. A couple sat at the table right beside us and proceeded to light up and enjoy a couple of cigarettes with their coffee.

I was sitting at the bus shelter a couple of evenings ago and a guy sat down beside me and proceeded to light a cigarette. I got up and walked a few feet away and stood until the bus came. He just smoked away, oblivious.

There was a long queue at the ATM today as several in the area weren't working. A woman smoked away in front of me and around loads of other people as we all waited for our turn.

Surely, just because smoking isn't illegal out of doors, it doesn't mean smokers don't have to show any consideration of cop on towards others.

AIBU to think that some smokers (and I know it's only some) will have only themselves to blame if smoking out of doors is eventually made illegal?

OP posts:

Roomster101 · 14/07/2017 11:51

They lit up and puffed without giving a care that they were ruining our meal.

Yes, it really annoys me when smokers hold their cigarettes and puff away from their table. If they think it is too unpleasant for their own friends and family why do they think it is okay to blow over other dinners.

TipTopTipTopClop · 14/07/2017 11:53

But sometimes they do. Sometimes they do so intentionally (especially if the non-smoker shows any degree of discomfort), sometimes they simply don't care and sometimes it is carried on the breeze. Was at an outside venue recently and two people finished their meals as ours arrived. They lit up and puffed without giving a care that they were ruining our meal.

Can't remember all the times this has happened to me. It's countless. Last night, for starters. To say nothing of the fact that if you're at a restaurant with a child, and smoke starts wafting in his face, you really have no choice but to move. It's totally irresponsible to allow a child to inhale second-hand smoke.

Roomster101 · 14/07/2017 11:54

It will never be banned completely, neither will alcohol

Why. There's little support for banning alcohol whereas there is a lot for banning smoking. The more smokers are prevented from smoking, the more give up and the more non-smokers dislike passive smoking.

TipTopTipTopClop · 14/07/2017 11:56

Yes, smokers turning their aheads in some display of consideration towards their friends, i.e. I'll blow this towards these other fuckers just for you!

TipTopTipTopClop · 14/07/2017 11:57

It will never be banned completely, neither will alcohol

No, it will never be banned in your home. I gather smokers must love the smell of smoke hanging on their upholstery, clean laundry, bedding, children, etc so no problemo.

LurkingHusband · 14/07/2017 12:04

It will never be banned completely, neither will alcohol

As long as I have water, sugar and yeast, alcohol follows naturally . Although fruit juices are preferable ...

That said, it is possible to (and some people do) grow tobacco in the UK. Although Golden Devon doesn't have the same cachet

WomblingThree · 14/07/2017 12:08

TipTopTipTopClop they really don't notice the smell. You don't notice until you give up. It's not particularly a conscious decision to go around stinking.

As I said earlier, I didn't smell it when I was living with it. We never smoked in the house, but my parents do. Their house honestly makes me want to vomit now, after not noticing it for 40+ years. I'm not going to make a drama out of it though, I just don't go there.

GeorgiePeachie · 14/07/2017 12:11

My Utopian Plan for smoking.

Ever been to an airport with a smoking room? It's a little chamber with a roaring fan that sucks out the smoke. I would build these "smoking booths/have them in existing offices. It will be the only place to smoke but you will probably have to queue, cutting down your break time considerably. Make smoking less worth it. This includes clubs and pubs, you have to queue to have a smoke rather than it being the only place you can hear someone for a chat.

TipTopTipTopClop · 14/07/2017 12:11

TipTopTipTopClop they really don't notice the smell. You don't notice until you give up. It's not particularly a conscious decision to go around stinking.

Sure, I could have better said 'don't mind' than love.

TipTopTipTopClop · 14/07/2017 12:13

You don't make drama out of it because you're not forced to, though, presumably. If you had difficult parents, you might have to say 'sorry but I can't come to your house because it smells too bad'. Which I gather some people might find dramatic.

MerchantofVenice · 14/07/2017 12:25

I hate the smell but I suck it up because other people have the right to do it

Well, yes, they currently have the legal right to sit right next to you and blow smoke in your general direction. Lots of people think they shouldn't have this right- hence this thread!

Tbf we all have the legal right to be inconsiderate, belligerent, annoying and awkward as long as we stay within the law. Doesn't mean we have to behave that way and screw everyone else...

Original poster

user1485342611 · 14/07/2017 12:43

That's the thing. People argue that it's not illegal, so they're entitled to do it.
Then when it's made illegal they start moaning about the 'nanny state'.

But if people behave like kids who won't decide for themselves whether something is right and considerate, then the state has to step in and start making increasing numbers of laws.

OP posts:

LurkingHusband · 14/07/2017 12:59

Ever been to an airport with a smoking room? It's a little chamber with a roaring fan that sucks out the smoke. I would build these "smoking booths/have them in existing offices

Paid for (including upkeep) exclusively by smokers, of course ?

flowergrrl77 · 14/07/2017 17:47

the issue I have with outdoor smokers is only those that do it in places others need to be. Like, right by the school gates!

My son with his asthma has been known to walk through them, have an attack due to the smoke making him cough, vomit all over the school playground and have to go home 'in case he has a bug' thus now missing 2 days of school, just because someone stood right by the school gate he had to walk through to get to school.

The fart comment I think has it down, its considered rude to do so right by others, I only hope smoking has the same consideration applied too, its just common decency if you ask me!

I dont think it should be illegal (I say this as a non smoker, who has a child who might even vomit on the smokers freakin shoes!) but for goodness sakes, stand away from places that people have to be!

Lallypop · 14/07/2017 18:04

As a smoker YANBU. I am very conscious about who i smoke around. I move away from non smokers, children, pregnant women, anyone really as it is a choice I have made and not theirs.
Also I think it is illegal to smoke at a bus stop, and also other outdoors areas such as train stations, theme park queues etc.
But I obviously don't think smoking should be banned outdoors, you probably feel this way as it's summer and most activities are enjoyed outdoors.

rackelle · 14/07/2017 18:08

it's bloody disgusting! People should be way more considerate, smoking around anyone is utterly selfish but what's worse is seeing people smoke around children (whilst pushing prams etc).
It totally should be banned in public spaces.
I say this as an ex smoker who always did her best not to smoke near any non smokers or in busy public places.

falange · 14/07/2017 18:31

I smoke and in the winter I stand outside freezing my tits off. My choice to do so but it's not that much fun. I love the warmer months when I can sit in a beer garden or at least stand outside a pub in comfort. I never ever smoke anywhere else and wouldn't dream of lighting up in a queue. I'm never going to give up, it's one of my few pleasures in life and I don't like drinking without smoking. My point here is that I'm already inconvenienced by having to stand outside ( I agree with reasons why I have to do so) but I think it's a bit harsh to try and stop me doing that too. Give us a break.

mummyrabbitpeppapig · 14/07/2017 18:33

Ready to be flagged here but I have two things to say.

Had no problem when I worked in pubs ( admittedly way back when ) until Roy Castle died from passive smoking.

Plus if you ban smoking everywhere ( not that I can see it happening ) except your own home, what about the babies and children etc who have parents who smoke and don't get a say ......just having my two penneth

mummyrabbitpeppapig · 14/07/2017 18:34

FLAMED NOT FLAGGED FFS

Goingtobeawesome · 14/07/2017 18:35

I long for the day smoking is banned in public places. I've heard it's their human right to smoke. Well I'd like to think it is a reasonable human right to be able to walk down the street without getting a mouthful of smoke. Their demand can make me ill, my demand, should I make it, makes no one ill.

manicmij · 14/07/2017 19:05

YANBU. Whilst it is not illegal to smoke outdoors in public places I am fed up with inhaling other's smoke when outside. Cafes, pubs etc when having outside seating these are usually filled with smokers and non smokers have to go inside to avoid other folks' chemical exhalations. Also fed up with folk congregating at shop doorways smoking having to pass through another lot of chemicals and landing up smelling as if I smoked. Smoking should be banned in public whether in or out. Less kids are of this less they will be interested in taking it up.

DryHeave · 14/07/2017 19:07

I was waiting in a long queue outside a venue. A couple in their late teens/early twenties asked if I minded them smoking. I said I minded (politely). They stepped away from the queue, I held their places. Win all round.

Maybe they were very polite. Maybe younger generations are more aware of their smoking?

Lovingit81 · 14/07/2017 19:07

YANBU it's vile. It's carcinogenic, full stop. How anyone can compare it to farting is laughable. I would be behind a complete ban but I doubt it would happen.

Purplealienpuke · 14/07/2017 19:10

So non smokers complained about smoking in pubs/restaurants etc & we were banned, chased outside, rightly I think (even as a smoker).
But NOW want us smokers not to smoke outside either? How very dare we?? WTF??
So you're more important than me? I don't blow smoke on people deliberately. I wouldn't sit next to a family in an outdoor space and light up. But I will continue to smoke as I enjoy it!
I don't like people spraying perfume on buses, or hairspray for that matter. I don't like strong perfume smells at all but wouldn't dream of demanding it be banned!
The smell of curry offends me but I don't complain to my neighbours that I can smell it whilst I'm in my garden because that's rude & unreasonable!
Grow up & stop fucking moaning ffs

TipTopTipTopClop · 14/07/2017 19:13

If I have a say in who is to be downwind of a smoker - my child or theirs - I choose theirs, every time. I'm sure I'm not alone here.

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