think people shouldn't smoke at school gates?

[WelliesandWine88]

It smells awful and pretty rubbish for others to have to breathe it whilst waiting whilst waiting to pick up their kids.
Is it really that hard to just wait till you are elsewhere?

Do you know what an addiction is?

Most smokers I know tend to stand to one side rather than be in the thick of a group of people. Can you stand to one side yourself until the gates open?

God that’s so rough, you’d think people would have a bit more self-awareness (I’m an ex smoker myself). I remember Mums doing that back in the 80’s when I was at primary school. I probably wouldn’t say anything though if I’m honest, just silently judge them and their parenting choices.

Yeah it's gross. I was annoyed last week because there was a woman stood literally outside the maternity entrance at the hospital having a fag and I had to walk through a cloud of disgusting fag smoke. Even if she'd moved 5 steps away it would have been better but she was right by the door 🤮

I should think that everyone knows what an addiction is and that smoking is an addiction. Nevertheless, is it so difficult to manage without a cigarette on the school run. We aren’t talking hours without one.

I agree they really shouldn't. Ours occasionally remind that parents shouldn't smoke on school property - maybe the office could send a reminder?

Failing that find a spot to wait in the playground away from them?

It's disgusting. We were on a narrow path and couldn't cross and a man taking his child to school was having a cigarette and it bloody stunk.

Most of the people at my child’s school just vape at the school gates

I agree, it's gross, thoughtless and isn't a good look, I judge. I'm an ex smoker too but for goodness sake, surely they can go 10 minutes without!

I can tell from the smell of the childrens clothes whose parents smoke.

(I work in a school) I’m not smelling random children!

Of course it would be better if they did smoke elsewhere, but just be thankful you're not the one with the addiction, and you're not the one who smells.

I'm a non-smoker and despise people smoking near me when I'm out and about, but accept it's a free choice and they're not breaking the law so if they want to smoke in a public area that's their call. I can move further away, and usually do.

I agree but I'm not sure what you can do?
When I used to pick Ds1_up.from primary schools most people congregated at the gates just outside of the school grounds ,and you can stop people smoking on a public highway.

One of the dads at my girls old school used to rock up with a joint on in the morning and a beer in the afternoon, right up to the gate where the headteacher stood, no fucks given. The mum was pally with the head and on the pta so guess it was fine 🤷‍♀️

I agree, although some schools definitely do try to have rules against it although obviously it’s only so enforceable.
It’s incredibly selfish to make all the other adults waiting in a condensed space and all the kids walking out breathe the second hand smoke. Some people just don’t give a shit about others though.

@Pixiedust1234 Do you know what an addiction is?

By that logic we would have to roll back on the indoor smoking ban too since they are so addicted they can’t possibly have to make any concessions.

An addiction means that some people can wait longer than others, by hours, others cant. OP was asking why they can't wait. Who's to say they haven't already waited hours and this is the first time they are able to smoke?

It might be vile, unhygienic, unhealthy etc but sometimes its not a choice , or habit. Its a physical and psychological craving that has to be met.

That's bollocks,my dh,smokes like a chimney even he can abstain whilst picking his children up fromchool🙄

I've worked on a NICU and patients used to smoke by the vents and smoke used to fill the ward where the babies were trying to get off c-pap.

OP YANBU and that second poster who said "do you know what addiction is"?

wtf??

No it doesn't.

BS

Do they know what secondhand and thirdhand smoke is? Why does their addiction trump the health of those who choose not to waiting around them?

@Pixiedust1234 Its a physical and psychological craving that has to be met.

Literally what on earth?!
It doesn’t have to be met in offices, in cars, on trains, at bus shelters, in hospitals, in bars, so why outside a school with lots of children who are more impacted by secondhand smoke?

Surely there's a time and a place though, and I vape! But I don't do it by the school gates because if I'm honest I'm embarrassed too!

Yip it’s disgusting. But then I think smoking is disgusting full stop.

Different strokes for different folks. This doesn't bother me. Parents leaving their kids in cars bothers me but most mums don't seem fussed. Some people are fussed about exhaust pollution but same people leave their car running outside the school so can listen to tunes and keep warm. Other mums care about pollution so drive electric cars and probably will find it offensive in a few years that exposing children to engine driven cars is bad for their health and should be banned. Go ahead and look down on others, we all do to an extent but very bad form to mention it to them. Manners maketh the man and all that. Full of good sayings today