to think just because it's not illegal to smoke outdoors doesn't mean it's always ok

[Fieldsgrowingdark]

Three of us were queueing at the bus stop this morning when along came a man who stood right beside us and lit up a cigarette.

Myself and my mum were sitting on a park bench chatting yesterday when a young woman plonked herself on the other end (about 18 inches from us) and enjoyed a cigarette.

I've also just been reading the thread about people standing around hospital doorways and underneath patients' windows puffing away on cigarettes.

You will often be told by smokers that it's legal because it's outside, as if that makes it okay.

AIBU to think even when you're outside, smokers should show some consideration for the people around them?

Assuming you never drive any where then.

Yes because driving a car and smoking are completely comparable. One is often essential in areas with little to no public transport and a great distance between work and home. The other is a habit no one needs and is polluting the environment without logical reason at all.

YANBU. There's the law and there's basic politeness and I don't think this is limited to smoking at all (parking being another example). I'm sick of people screeching "It's legal so I'm going to do it". How about showing some basic human decency where possible.

In other words not bothering anybody and somebody will come and sit next to you, walk through your smoke and tutt.

Agree with this though, I've been happily sat on a bench when there are many others empty in the area, lit up a cigarette and someone always insists on sitting next to me and tuts! Why do they do it?

It's not 'the smoking area', it is, as another poster has said, an area where it's not actually illegal to smoke. It doesn't mean that smokers have all the rights, and common consideration and courtesy go out the window.

I mean, it's not illegal for me to take out a bottle of perfume and spray it around the table so that some of it goes over an adjacent table. But it would be a bloody ignorant and selfish thing to do.

In the bus shelters where we live they have no smoking stickers on symbolizing that you cant smoke under the shelter, but how can they police it? They can't so people do it anyway. Really though even if they stepped outside it you still have it blowing on you.

It is an inconsiderate and selfish habit.

I have family members and friends that smoke. I can smell it, they can't. They will smoke outside when at my house as per my rules but I can smell it regardless because it clings to them.

I work in a hospital and smoking is banned anywhere on the grounds. Patients have to actually go off the hospital site to have a cig. There's no staff smoking area anywhere.

I would like a ban on smoking in outdoor eating areas, there's nothing worse than sitting in a sunny pub garden surrounded by smokers.

I am an ex-smoker but like a Born-Again Christian, I am evangelical about people smoking in public and inflicting their second hand smoke on others.

No RoseAndRose it isn't 'the smoking area'. It is simply not 'the non smoking area'. There's a difference. Any mannerly person would look around and if there are people at adjacent tables who are still eating and will be affected by the smoke, would move away from the area while they had their cigarette.

I dont smoke. And I have a lung condition so cigarette smoke is a bit of a no-no for me. I have absolutely no issue with people choosing to smoke outside - it is their right and not illegal. If I needed to I would just move tables.

I’m an ex-smoker and I agree with you. I went and stood outside a bus shelter once when someone inside starting smoking (I had DS with me) and the guy came out and apologised and told us to go back in. I can’t stand the smell.

It's not illegal, but why is it 'their right'. And it's not always that easy to move tables in a busy restaurant, or to be guaranteed no one will smoke near you at the next table.

"You can't even enjoy a restaurant meal out of doors in really hot weather without people lighting up at adjacent tables."

You can't have it all ways, if there hadn't been a ban people would be smoking inside the pub too.
You have a choice to go indoors, the smokers don't.
If you don't like it sit inside.

You have a choice to go indoors, the smokers don't. If you don't like it sit inside.

As people have previously pointed out smokers don't get a monopoly on outdoor areas simply because it is not yet illegal to smoke in them. Why should people have to sit inside if they do not want to encounter some mannerless smoker who think's it's their right to smoke around people enjoying a meal? Both smokers and non smokers should have equal choice to eat a meal outdoors without it being covered in cigarette smoke.

Not a smoker and have never smoked, but don't get the absolute handwringing hysteria over smoking outdoors.

I can't believe for a second that the concentration of the few puffs of smoke in an outdoor space are even slightly harmful to health, where as exhaust fumes from cars and buses most definitely are, and we don't see the same anger directed towards people making unnecessary journeys which mean people breath in exhaust fumes

@Dartilla demonstrated the hypocrisy "If I started spraying harmful chemicals in the air for others to breathe in, I'd be arrested"
You wouldn't though, as long as your car was properly taxed and MOT'd...

Why should people have to sit inside if they do not want to encounter some mannerless smoker who think's it's their right to smoke around people enjoying a meal?

You don't have to sit inside, you can eat outside, nobody is forcing you to do anything. Choose which is better for you, just don't moan at smokers, they didn't ask to be made to go outside in all weathers.

I get that some people dislike the smell of cigarette smoke but I've never understood the moral crusade some people have against it.

It's not just the smell, it is damaging to health, I should have the choice about what I do or do not do that damages my health. OK I'm probably not going to get lung cancer from walking past a smoker but I can and do get stinging eyes and it can trigger my asthma.

If someone blew pepper in my eyes I could probably be able to report them for assault, but because it is a cigarette, I can't.

When it comes to the health and well being of others then there should be a responsibility, in the same way we do not allow people to rive when they are drunk because of the potential damage to others.

You're talking as if smoking is some kind of human right Romany. Why should smokers be entitled to come along and hijack outdoor areas in the middle of Summer? If they want to smoke, it should be their responsibility to do so in a way that doesn't annoy other people.

Whining about the fact that they've been 'forced outside' just makes them sound childish and selfish.

YANBU. It should be banned in all public spaces

It is selfish.
I was sitting on a bench having nice sit down and relax in a public space recently. There were at least 4 other benches available, but somebody came and sat on the bench I was sitting at and lit up. Selfish and inconsiderate.
I would personally welcome smoking within x feet of a doorway or entrance illegal too. Nobody needs to walk through a group of smokers to get out of a public space.

"Yes because driving a car and smoking are completely comparable"

Actually yes they are.

It's the same as going up to someone and belching in their face repeatedly. Not illegal, but a disgusting thing to subject someone to,just because you can. Except smoke clings to your hair and clothes, so is worse.

I get that some people dislike the smell of cigarette smoke but I've never understood the moral crusade some people have against it.

I have a moral crusade because I choose not to smoke, and don't want to have to be around smokers against my will. Yes, I can (and do) move, but I shouldn't have to if people would be just a little considerate and move away themselves.

It's vile.
What really pisses me off lately is the constant stench of weed everywhere I go.
Wish the powers that be would empower the law enforcers to stamp this out. It's fucking revolting.

Yes!!! I hate this, I have asthma and have often have to move at bus stops, beer gardens. I know the world doesn't revolve around me but people could try to be considerate

just don't moan at smokers, they didn't ask to be made to go outside in all weathers.

Nobody forced them to start smoking so I hardly think you can say they are being forced to go outside, they have a choice to not smoke if they don't want to be outside.

Nevertheless it's ridiculous to say that if you want to sit outside you shouldn't complain about someone lighting a cigarette near you whilst you eat. Considerate smokers would move away from the dining area realising that nobody but themselves would enjoy the cigarette. It's not a smoking area, it just so happens to be an area where its not illegal to smoke, that doesn't mean smokers have full control over the outdoors.

I don't think smokers do hijack areas in summer, they are there all the time. It's none smokers in the smoking places.
I usually find people to be thoughtful. If others are eating smokers usually move away.
If I'm socialising after a meal with a table of smokers, then I'll smoke. If a none smoker comes along we will be finished by the time their meal comes, and be paying ourselves or on our way.
I can honestly say I've never seen smokers light up when tables close to them have people eating. Not saying it doesn't happen though.
I usually go on the car park as if I'm with dc they don't like the smell.

Not a smoker and have never smoked, but don't get the absolute handwringing hysteria over smoking outdoors

I can only assume that all of the MN posters on these threads are under age 12. I mean, seeing as they all pass out when so much of a whiff of smoke passes them outside they can't have been around when people could smoke indoors! (I believe the ban was 2007?).

You want to know why a lot of smokers are inconsiderate? Because nothing will be enough for non smokers until there's a complete ban everywhere. It makes the smokers think well why bother? I'm going to piss someone off where ever I sit or stand. When you can't please people no matter what you do, you give up trying.