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?

To *run post operative patients home, that should say.

Nobodies addiction is putting anywhere out of bounds for none smokers.
You can go outside too, there's no law against it. Obviously, the smokers can't go inside it's not allowed anymore.
Some attitudes from non smokers is ridiculous and I hope you find the people who don't give a damn, and will smoke round you.

I will never forget giving birth a couple of months ago to the smell of cigarettes coming in through the open window. I had to ask for the window to be closed and was then in unbearable heat. Was awful. Consideration wouldn't go amiss.

It was the hotel owner who said smokers are treated like lepers, not me. He was highly amused at non smokers complaining bitterly that they "couldn't", ie chose not to, use the luxurious space he'd created for smokers.

Your attitude Romany is the exact one that defines the kind of selfish and stubborn smoker who cannot see, or doesn't want to see, the negative impact of their smoking on other people. It is that attitude that will be to blame if smoking is, eventually, banned in all public spaces.

I know it was the hotel owner Bluelady. You said it in your post.

You had a go at me for saying it.

Totally agree with you, I'm severely asthmatic and cigarette smoke can and has triggered attacks, but there is nothing I can do as, as annoying as it is it is their right to smoke in outside spaces, until that is changed I'll continue to do as I do now and move. Irritating but the easiest solution.

Totally agree with you, I'm severely asthmatic and cigarette smoke can and has triggered attacks, but there is nothing I can do as, as annoying as it is it is their right to smoke in outside spaces, until that is changed I'll continue to do as I do now and move. Irritating but the easiest solution.

I didn't see her having a go at you for saying it Bluelady. She actually put it in a separate paragraph.

That hotel owner was talking nonsense. Smokers aren't treated like 'lepers'. They're treated like normal human beings who are expected to show the same level of consideration and courtesy in public places as everyone else.

But a lot of them like to whinge and whine about being 'banished outdoors' etc etc because it makes them feel like victims instead of annoying and rude people.

What from my posts gives this impression Miss
I'm a considerate smoker, will go to car park if people are eating near me and won't light up.
I don't know how I can be more considerate.
I'd never smoke at a bus stop, will move down wind from children.

If any of you seriously think the smoking ban will go any further, you're destined for disappointment. The Exchequer makes far too much from tobacco tax to impose a ban outside as well. It seems to be a peculiarly British thing, other European countries take a much more relaxed view.

Regardless of how considerate you may be Romany you still seem to be championing the 'right' of smokers to smoke around other diners in outdoor areas of restaurants, as if that trumps their responsibility to be considerate to others.

I live in Ireland Bluelady and people have exactly the same attitude as British people. Likewise the Americans. It's not peculiarly British.

There is nothing worse than anti smoking people.

First they went after the pubs and restaurants.
Then they went after those who HAVE to smoke outdoors now anywhere.
Then they went after those who vape.

I think the anti smoking brigade should should just go indoors and enjoy the smoke free zones there. LOL.

There really are much more important things to get riled up about. But no, it goes on and on and on. When will they be satisfied at all?

I say this as a non smoker, but I have great sympathy for smokers these days. And it is legal outdoors.

If you are that bothered, get a parliamentary petition going. I am sure it will be an interesting debate if it achieves the required amount of signatories.

I totally disagree Nicoala.

For years and years non smokers put up with the selfish behaviour of smokers, before eventually raising their voices and getting it banned for indoor shared spaces.

Now that there is far greater awareness of both the health risks, and the general discomfort, that smokers impose on non smokers, you would expect smokers to make every effort to not force people around them to inhale their smoke and put up with the smell or the unpleasantness of it being blown over their food.

But there is still a self centred, thoughtless and very very stubborn cohort of smokers that refuse to do this and then whinge and whine about 'anti smokers'. I have no sympathy for them.

I agree it’s absolutely foul. Public smoking should be completely banned within X amount of distance.

If someone smoked near me with my baby daughter around I would tell them to put it out. I hate smoking. I’m quite a reserved person but god forbid anyone who blew cigarette smoke into my child’s face. When I see Mums pushing pram doing it I shudder.

This constipated attitude towards smoking doesn't exist in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece - I could go on.

Bluelady that owner sounds ace.

'Constipated attitude'???????

Well how very dare people object to having foul smelling smoke blown from people's nostrils and mouths all over their food.

Carnival,

I understand where you are coming from. My post was a little mischievous, and tongue in cheek!

I just wonder where it will end that's all. But still we have traffic pollution and all sorts that do contribute to ill health in many people, and global warming because of emissions (or so we are told!), so ok, if you or others detest smoking around you, that's fine, but there are lots of other issues in the atmosphere that deserve ire too.

I often think it is a self righteous thing, you know.... I CAN and I WILL tell you to stop smoking around me. But it is legal. As I said, if people want to change that, it will require legislation. So off you all go and get it sorted.

Until that happens, I am afraid outdoor smoking is perfectly legal and there is very little anyone can do about it.

Yes I agree it's legal. But I think the OP's point was that 'legal' and 'right and considerate' aren't always the same thing.

Obviously there are other huge issues around global warming and sustainability that need to be resolved. But I don't think people who don't want to be choked by other people's cigarette smoke, or have it blown around them when they're eating are being self righteous. They are just no longer prepared to put up with smokers clogging up the atmosphere, or making it uncomfortable to eat around them.

In fairness, you never see a smoker taking a drag of a cigarette in between mouthfuls of food. But so many of them will light up as soon as they themselves have finished eating, with no thought for anyone else in the vicinity who is still finishing their meal.

Then they went after those who HAVE to smoke outdoors now anywhere.

Nobody HAS to smoke. They CHOOSE to smoke. Why on earth should people who don't smoke have to go indoors to avoid them?

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

Same here!

Lots of my colleagues smoke (I'm an expat, it's more common around here) and I actually voluntarily join them on their fag breaks. Not because I particularly like the smell (I don't) but because I value their company more than I feel bothered by the smoke. It really isn't that big of a deal in open air.