Regarding smoking at the school gates?

[2boysandus]

I live opposite our school. The dining table is in front of the window, and I sit drinking my coffee while DS finishes getting shoes on, bags together etc.

I've noticed the last few days, several other parents who drive to the school. Park the car, step out, immediately light up a cigarette. Smoke it, sometimes stood b the car with their DC stood out next to them, or smoke it walking across to the school gate.

The same parents I've then seen afterwards, reach the gate after dropping off (10 minutes later) and light up again!

I don't like smoking, but each to their own, but surely it can wait?! Why the desperate need as they reach school and as they leave school.

AIBU or could it not wait?

I think the whole point is they are addicts. They can't wait and don't want to. Always feel sorry for children who have parents who smoke though so I can see what you mean. At least it is banned in the school playgrounds now.

It's "normal" smoking behaviour to mark the start and finish of a task with a fag- particularly if you're going outside.

Doesn't make smoking around children right of course, but that's the behavioural reason for it.

It's ridiculous, and rude to smoke around the school. Has anyone heard of a smoker who didn't survive a flight or even a couple of hours without a cigarette? Me neither, they chose to smoke. I won't even go into smokers who are happy smoke in a playground.

I have seen a parent who started vaping in the school last month! He was promptly talk to by a member staff, who does that!

It's horrible and anti social. But legal.

At least they’re not smoking in the car with the kids.

Dc used to attend a school where there was a TA stationed at the school gate in the morning. She was smoking too. Parents are free agents, it's up to them, but it annoyed me that the TA did it while wearing her school fleece and badge and was clearly 'on duty'.

It’s inconsiderate to smoke right outside the school gates (thankfully it’s banned on playgrounds now). I get that it’s an addiction but I think it can wait until you get away from the school gates.
If someone was stood smoking outside the gates of my daughters school I’d politely ask them not too, it’s fine if you want to pollute your own body with those things but kids don’t need the fumes that come with them

they'll be causing more pollution by driving to school than by smoking, do you judge them on that as well?

yes.

Ifailed some people have to drive to school so not a good point I'm afraid.

My son's primary school had a member of office staff who used to smoke outside the school gates in the street. Looked awful. She smelled terrible. There was also the smoking in the cars whilst dropping off the kids, and the parents in the street...

I agree they could at least wait til they were home/ at work etc...it's awful, smelly and sets a very bad example.

However, it's not illegal. YANBU at all to hate it.

A school near me has become a ‘smoke free school gates’ school. Parents, staff (and pupils) are not allowed to smoke within a certain distance of the Gates. It’s much better.