Smoking in outdoor dining areas should be banned - AIBU?

[Circlesandtriangles]

Sat outside a lovely cafe by the canal in the sun, lovely except for the wafting of some ladies cigarette smoke across the table. i probably am a bit unreasonable but I just hate smoke when eating. Seems a shame that to enjoy outdoor dining I need to suffer smokers second hand smoke. So...

YABU - Suck that second hand smoke up
YANBU - There should be no smoking where food is being enjoyed outdoors

YABU. People who get really irate about smoking and the associated health risks still often drive, probably use their cars unnecessarily and possibly eat meat (also packed full of delicious carcinogens).

When I go out, I usually experience something that will piss me off. Whether it's obnoxious people shouting, dogs barking or that couple who decided that bringing their screaming baby out to a pub trumps anyone else's right to enjoy a pleasant evening. I'd ban all of the above if I could, but I can't. I need to accept that I can't control everyone and everything in my sphere when out in public. Same applies here.

I disagree and I've never smoked.

So for the 3 weeks decent weather you get in the Summer you want to ban smoking in the smoking areas of pubs and restaurants because it suits you to sit outside, but the rest of the year whether it is lashing rain, snowing or minus five degrees outside you are ok with smokers standing outside in the same area because it doesn't affect you. This conversation comes up every year about this time - once there is a bit of decent weather.

YANBU. Filthy, stinky habit.

Air pollution from non-smoking related sources is much higher.

Yep. There is a restaurant we go to that is next to a really busy main road. In the outdoor seating area you can taste the pollution it is that bad. I'm always amazed anyone sits out there to eat but I did really giggle at a woman complaining to someone smoking quite a distance away that they were damaging her kids lungs with "that dirty smoke"

YANBU. Filthy, stinky habit.

If we were to ban all of people's filthy habits, outside would be empty.

YANBU I’m a recent ex smoker and I would never have lit up somewhere people were eating. In public I only ever smoked in designated smoking areas or way away from anyone else.

I am disheartened to hear the hate for vapers though. I’ve switched over and have a little vape pen that doesn’t produce much smoke at all and I try to use it well away from others, it’s the one thing that’s kept me from smoking cigarettes. Surely they’re along the same lines as someone wearing too much fragrance. The vapours not harmful to those around.

If it were down to common sense, they wouldn't be smoking in the first place!

Totally agree with this...
And this!
@LeevMarie · Today 14:21
YABU. People who get really irate about smoking and the associated health risks still often drive, probably use their cars unnecessarily and possibly eat meat (also packed full of delicious carcinogens).
When I go out, I usually experience something that will piss me off. Whether it's obnoxious people shouting, dogs barking or that couple who decided that bringing their screaming baby out to a pub trumps anyone else's right to enjoy a pleasant evening.

Couldn't agree more. It aggravates my asthma and smells rank.

Dogs don’t cause cancer or other lung diseases

This is a total non-argument. Literally nobody is getting cancer from sitting outdoors near a smoker for 30 minutes.

Yes! Totally agree. It stinks and its irritating. It should be banned from all public places IMO.

You are unreasonable. Smokers have already been forced outside in all weathers. You aren't coming to any harm for the 60 minutes or whatever that you are sat there, you just don't like the smell which to be honest is tough.

It shouldn't be 'tough'. It's not about the harm, it's just revolting. Would you think it was ok for someone to sit at the table next to you with something disgustingly smelly wafting at you?

YANBU. Smoking is disgusting, it stinks, and it's harmful to anyone breathing it in. It should be banned in all public places, indoor or out. My husband hates cigarettes so much that he doesn't even allow his parents to smoke anywhere on our property.

Or perhaps smokers could accept that they are annoying everyone else in the vicinity and do what some considerate smokers on here do, move away to have their cigarette then come back to the table.

Yes. As smokers are in the minority they should go along with what suits the majority.

And in hot weather the majority prefer to eat in the outside area and you are bothering them with your smoke.

In cold weather the majority want to sit inside, so you smoking outside isn't bothering them

It's not just the smell though, is it?
I have bad asthma, hospitalised more than once, cigarette smoke is a big trigger for me; I violently cough and bring up mucus. Why should I have to sit inside on a nice day because selfish dicks' smoke poisons me?

I'm a smoker too and I agree. I can go without till away from people. I don't want to inflict my bad habit on other people and those who do are selfish.

Should be banned in all public spaces... had a delightful woman blow her bloody vape all over me and my children at the bus stop the other day.... absolutely disgusting!

YANBU I hate it.

Most people drive or rely on someone who does & and by enlarge, driving serves a purpose.
Where as smokers are just drug addicts, unable to stop and placing, like my FiL huge strain on the NHS, even if you do pay a lot in taxes.

Seeing people come in with circulation issues but go out as amputees' is sad really.

I'd argue that the smoking ban has helped the pub industry, maybe not the pure drinking ones but so much more profit in food now a days, so those sorts of pubs are a dying breed.

YANBU - I loathe it and would ban it in all public places if I could!

We are currently on holiday and enjoying having a lazy day by the pool. Two women sat in the the sun loungers closest to us and literally chain smoked and coughed their guts up. We moved and I noticed the next couple who sat on the sun loungers closest to them didn't stay long either. Just gross!

YANBU and I'm a smoker. I'm so fucking hyper aware of smoking now I would get up and walk away from anybody eating even if i was outdoors.

The utter stigmatisation of smokers is great. Top notch work. Honestly I keep trying to pack in but I smoke way less than I did just due to the utter pain the arse of having to hike a mile to smoke and every little helps.

I'm not sure the "three weeks of outdoor dining" arguments hold water as it's not just 3 weeks of the year any more is it? We've been dining outdoors lots more since Covid in the many creative new covered outdoor spaces that businesses have invested in that are heated in winter etc. they weren't created just for smokers, they were made for everyone to enjoy but sadly smoking does detract from the enjoyment of a coffee or food.

I think providing a space for smokers away from non smokers would be ideal but impractical for most small businesses.

I appreciate the many considerate smokers here who use discretion and will not smoke when beside diners, your consideration is appreciated!

I am all for stigmatising non essential car using as much as smoking. It worked a treat on smoking, what a good idea.