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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think smoking should now be banned in public spaces?

500 replies

MrsKingfisher · 15/12/2020 08:20

I saw on the news footage of people Christmas shopping in London and people sitting outside in cafes etc. Given the current situation should public smoking be banned? Not only because it stinks and it's anti social but more people are now meeting outside due to covid. I don't believe there is any evidence that breathing out smoke spreads the virus anymore than normal breathing. It's just selfish, non smokers no longer can be told 'if you don't like it go inside'

OP posts:
OffredOfjune · 15/12/2020 21:43

@Macncheeseballs

It is smokers fault that they smoke though
God, really? Never knew that!
OffredOfjune · 15/12/2020 21:45

@StepintoChristmas29

Yes it should be. Have felt this way for years.

Once I was sat in a bench in a theme park with my child. A girl I didn’t know came over sat on the same bench and lit up a fag (she had child in buggy too). Vile for us and for her own child! The theme park had designated smoking areas but obviously she didn’t care! I went elsewhere but I shouldn’t have had to. I was there first!

I bet you've held onto that for years haven't you?
sparticuscaticus · 15/12/2020 21:59

@MrsKingfisher

Are people so addicted that they can't go shopping or have a coffee without having to smoke? If you want to smell gross and harm your health great but why should others have to be party to it without their consent. Do all non smokers have to not sit outside now to accommodate those too selfish to do it in their own home?
Ummm yeah. Isn't that the definition of smoking n' being a 'smoker'? That they can't wait hours and People 'need it'

I dont agree with smoking - I'm a CEV asthmatic but even I think others have right to live their lives without constant judginess- fgs I won't take any more liberty freedom away from anyone else. Life is hard enough as it is and worse during pandemic restrictions.

Seriously some MNers are selfish sanctimonious whatnames .
Separate out smokers and non smokers outside by all means- fab- but don't listen to one group more than the other

ReadyFreddy · 15/12/2020 22:00

This reply has been deleted

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PillowPrincess · 15/12/2020 22:01

Smoking should be illegal. We dont get second hand obesity or liver failure. Disgusting things.

AliceMcK · 15/12/2020 22:08

Totally agree it should be banned. It's a dirty disgusting selfish habit, I hate having to breath in other peoples smoke and it being anywhere near my children.

Having to walk past smokers chain smoking outside pubs and restaurants is foul, we cant even sit outside to breath fresh air in.

Should have been made illegal long before now.

Kaliorphic · 15/12/2020 22:10

Do all non smokers have to not sit outside now to accommodate those too selfish to do it in their own home

Yes. Or stay home if you don't like it. Or go somewhere else.

PillowPrincess · 15/12/2020 22:12

@ReadyFreddy

I hope none of the people moaning about antisocial smokers have ever taken their screaming baby/toddler into a coffee shop or public place. Nothing worse than having a relaxing coffee with your partner and somebody plonking down a screamer three feet from you!
Im sure you had your horrid screamer moments as a toddler as have i abd everyone else. Smoking is totally uncomparable. It gives you cancer!! You wouldnt get cancer from hearing a cranky child, which you once were too anyway. I cant believe i have to say this.
SmileyClare · 15/12/2020 22:12

Those that are too selfish to do it in their own home

You want smokers to return home when they want a cigarette? Or just lock the door, paint a cross on it and never go out?
It's also worth considering children who didn't choose a smoker as a parent. You want those children to be forced to smoke passively because parents should be told to "Do it in their own home"

How about a granddad having a meal in a pub garden with his family on a summer's day. He needs a cigarette, he's been addicted for years. Should he walk a distance away and smoke or should everyone tell him to Go home and do it there you smelly selfish man.

There should be a level of consideration for people addicted to smoking. It's not black and white.

OffredOfjune · 15/12/2020 22:14

God, the level of drama on here is hysterical. In reality, you spend all of one second walking past someone smoking. However do you cope? All this 'blowing into my face' 'we can't get any fresh air' hyperbolic nonsense is just too pathetic.

GGioia · 15/12/2020 22:16

Most cafes I go to have a designated smoking space far from the normal space for people who don't smoke who could also sit outside which is fairly large compared to the designated smoking area. While you're at it, why don't we hire a firing squad and shoot all the smokers. Where else are these people meant to smoke and sit? They can't sit inside because of you and now they can't sit outside because of you in a designated area? I don't mind smokers and their smoke as I could move away from it.

NotImpossible · 15/12/2020 22:16

Should he walk a distance away and smoke

Yes. But many people don't, and then there is nowhere in the pub garden for non smokers to enjoy their meal.

Kaliorphic · 15/12/2020 22:18

You wouldnt get cancer from hearing a cranky child, which you once were too anyway. I cant believe i have to say this.

I don't care. I don't want to hear other people's screaming kids. It's antisocial.

Kaliorphic · 15/12/2020 22:21

i don't mind smokers and their smoke as I could move away from it.

Gosh no that would be far too easy. Much easier to come on here and moan about it instead. Makes me want to take up smoking 👺

GGioia · 15/12/2020 22:30

@Kaliorphic

i don't mind smokers and their smoke as I could move away from it.

Gosh no that would be far too easy. Much easier to come on here and moan about it instead. Makes me want to take up smoking 👺

Me too just to piss them off more lol. Honestly, the only time I got blown on the face was on a night out trying to enter a bar or pub and guess what? I don't take my children on a night out. So over the top and I bet you, most of these users probably drive their 4x4's leaving their engines running by the school gates so they could be closer to the entrance but who cares about children playing in the playground as long as we label smokers filthy and addicts.
Kaliorphic · 15/12/2020 22:42

Honestly, the only time I got blown on the face was on a night out trying to enter a bar or pub and guess what? I don't take my children on a night out.

Yep, pretty much the same here tbh. If I don't like a bar or pub for whatever reason, then there's always the option to move on.

LolaSmiles · 15/12/2020 22:42

I hope none of the people moaning about antisocial smokers have ever taken their screaming baby/toddler into a coffee shop or public place. Nothing worse than having a relaxing coffee with your partner and somebody plonking down a screamer three feet from you!
Because an upset baby in a cafe is absolutely comparable to clouds of second hand smoke whilst you're trying to eat

Hmm
Kaliorphic · 15/12/2020 22:47

Because an upset baby in a cafe is absolutely comparable to clouds of second hand smoke whilst you're trying to eat

Nah. I'd much rather take the second hand smoke thanks.

LaLaLandIsNoFun · 15/12/2020 22:48

Time to ban burning fossil fuel, then

TravelDreamLife · 15/12/2020 23:14

I'm Australian (QLD) and smoking is banned in a lot of public places. Some cities are trying to ban it in CBD pedestrian areas.

It reduces the problem, but doesn't stop some people, except in commercial establishments where they are motivated to enforce it & pubs provide outdoor smoking areas.

I'm an ex-smoker, and wish it would be stamped out completely. My old neighbour used to go down the back garden to smoke, obviously his DW didn't want it near their house. Unfortunately, he smoked right near OUR living area, which we open up in summer, so it stunk our entire house out instead. By the time you close the doors & windows it's too late.

squeekums · 16/12/2020 03:13

@LolaSmiles

I hope none of the people moaning about antisocial smokers have ever taken their screaming baby/toddler into a coffee shop or public place. Nothing worse than having a relaxing coffee with your partner and somebody plonking down a screamer three feet from you! Because an upset baby in a cafe is absolutely comparable to clouds of second hand smoke whilst you're trying to eat

Hmm

Crying baby v smoker? Give me the smoker any day

Last flight i took, i was ready to snap by time we landed with a baby screaming for 90% of flight, directly behind me

Id have been so happy to have smoke clouding me over that annoyance

squeekums · 16/12/2020 03:15

@Kaliorphic

You wouldnt get cancer from hearing a cranky child, which you once were too anyway. I cant believe i have to say this.

I don't care. I don't want to hear other people's screaming kids. It's antisocial.

Here Here It also gives me a headache and raises my anxiety hugely
Leflic · 16/12/2020 03:33

@roarfeckingroarr

Why the biscuit? You don't think it shows a pretty weak character if you deliberately harm yourself and others?
Seriously? So the fact at one point in time everybody used to smoke but increasingly less of the population do so now, is because people have developed stronger characters?

What about the smokers who give up. Does giving up an addiction make you stronger or weaker than those who have never started smoking in the first place?
Honestly, don’t take up anything that requires actual thinking.

NotABridezillaToBe · 16/12/2020 06:21

Im sure you had your horrid screamer moments as a toddler as have i abd everyone else. Smoking is totally uncomparable. It gives you cancer!! You wouldnt get cancer from hearing a cranky child, which you once were too anyway. I cant believe i have to say this.

Please show me the link for the study that shows brief exposure to second hand smoke outside causes cancer? It someone is asthmatic and particularly sensitive that’s a shame, but some people are allergic to nuts etc and die on exposure, but that’s not an argument to ban nuts.

It is comparable, it’s about the negative externalities of your choices affecting other people. Perhaps people should just keep their toddlers at home, or at least in the garden, especially if they are prone to crying.

The high tax rate on cigarettes is intended to internalize all the negative externalities of smoking including the smoke, the smokers are literally paying for the inconvenience they cause you to make it all a bit fairer.

I get that smoking is rank and it should just be banned so everyone would stop. That’s worked so well with drugs hasn’t it? You lot should become government advisors.

ItsCovidOutThereThisChristmas · 16/12/2020 06:31

@Kaliorphic

You wouldnt get cancer from hearing a cranky child, which you once were too anyway. I cant believe i have to say this.

I don't care. I don't want to hear other people's screaming kids. It's antisocial.

I think both are antisocial
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