To cross the road when I see a smoker?

[hippohippohippo]

I really dislike smoking and find I'm extremely sensitive to the smell, so have always been very aware of smokers and will notice a smoker earlier than others do if I'm walking around a town centre etc.

Now I have a 7mo I'm particularly conscious I don't want him exposed to the smoke so I make a point of crossing the road and getting as far away as possible when I see a smoker.

Well MIL was pushing the pram earlier as I was looking after my toddler nephew and when I asked her to cross the road she refused, telling me "it doesn't even occur to anyone else so you'll be fine, stop being so anxious". Said smoker then took a huge puff just as we walked past, so we walked through a cloud of fresh smoke.

AIBU to do this / ask this?

Totally up to you, but does the road you're crossing not have cars?

This seems rather extreme. One puff of smoke is probably less harmful than the emissions from cars nearby.

I hate smoking but like many in my generation (I'm mid-40s) I grew up in a household where a parent smoked in the house and car, when we went in holiday people smoked on planes, every restaurant and cafe was full of smoke. So crossing the road outside seems rather extreme!

You are bring precious. You will survive and it's frankly ridiculous to spend your life zig zapping around like that, plus the fact you dragged MiL in to it. You have walked past cars and their exhausts on the road anyway. Much more harmful than one sniff of fag smoke.

Well you can do what you want but it seems a bit extreme .

*zig zagging

I have a baby too but I think you’re being really extreme. Christ knows a whisp of day smoke on the breeze is nothing compared to the pollution and emissions from cars in the city centre.

But you'll walk him along a road full of traffic without worrying?

Crossing the roads around here has a higher danger level (speeding idiots!)

*FAG smoke

Bit extreme tbh

I'd think it's was worse to walk through the path of exhaust fumes.....

If I'm walking behind someone smoking I cross the road. I have asthma and smoke really makes me cough, and walking behind a smoker is horrible.

Otherwise I do move out of the way. I'm not getting angry at someone smoking, it's their choice, but I'm not going to feel bad about avoiding people smoking as much as possible.

@Justmuddlingalong

Totally up to you, but does the road you're crossing not have cars?

Today it did, yes, but a small high street so wouldn't have taken long to cross. If you're mentioning this due to fumes, yes I'm aware they're pretty toxic themselves but my own sensitivity to the smell is less and I don't find I can smell it for days afterwards.

You can smell someone’s fag smoke on the high street for day’s afterwards?

I hate smoking but you are being way too OTT I take it that it’s your first baby x

Outside no of course not smoke will be diluted in the air for the seconds you walk past.

How dramatic 🤨

I do this too OP! I find smoke really disgusting and will dodge smokers wherever I can. When I think about it though I usually don't mention it to who I am with I just do it. Sometimes I'll say I'm just going to speed ahead to get past the smokers or something like that. Just go ahead and cross the road then rejoin who ever you're with. You don't need to ask their permission or explain yourself. Just like they can't force you to walk through a cloud of smoke against your will.

Wait til you find out about the effects of diesel engines!

Dh does the same, he’s very sensitive to the smell of fags. I don’t judge him, and I’m happy to go along with it.

@sessell

I do this too OP! I find smoke really disgusting and will dodge smokers wherever I can. When I think about it though I usually don't mention it to who I am with I just do it. Sometimes I'll say I'm just going to speed ahead to get past the smokers or something like that. Just go ahead and cross the road then rejoin who ever you're with. You don't need to ask their permission or explain yourself. Just like they can't force you to walk through a cloud of smoke against your will.

I agree I usually don't mention it to whoever I'm with...but today they were the one pushing my child!

@hippohippohippo you’re fully entitled to feel the way you do but I wonder if you cross the road when you see a homeless who may not smell pleasant or old smelly cars with fumes on the road?
As an ex smoker, I’m very sensitive to the smell too and often dislike it but unless someone literally smokes in my face I wouldn’t act out like that.
Also I’m from a generation where my parents smoked around us and I even picked up smoking for a few years, and I tell you my lungs were much stronger dealing with covid than someone who’s never touched a cigarette.
Car fumes do more harm than a person smoking in the streets.
This could also teach your little one dislike for smokers (in a bad way) - every time you do this the look on your face also shouts out your hate to the smoker - and that’s not nice. Many smokers move to aside when they see kids/babies, but not sure if they would when they see an anxious disgusted person

@WheelieBinPrincess

You can smell someone’s fag smoke on the high street for day’s afterwards?

On my coat / hair / pram etc.

You're being ridiculous. I mean, do what you want when you're on your own, but I think YABU to expect other people to indulge you. Couldn't you just move to the side and walk quickly past?

Not just from walking briefly past them. If your nose is truly that sensitive I suggest you utilise the skill and go into detective or spy work.