To be fed up of some smokers' inconsiderate behaviour

[Wantcleanair]

Why do some insist on smoking right outside the doorway of supermarkets, restaurants etc. so that you have no way of avoiding walking through the disgusting second hand smoke when walking past them? Our local supermarket has a designated smoking area away from the doorway but it appears only the staff use it. Are people so desperate for a cigarette that they cannot walk a few metres to keep entrance and exit ways clear?

I think smokers stopped caring about people’s opinions when they still had a go at them about vaping. I always found them quite well mannered before but when they then got moaned at about vaping it showed that people were just trying to control them and they all rebelled.

The smoker might be stood outside the door, but the smoke doesn't respect the difference.
I have asthma. More than a couple of breaths of smoke sets it off. Couldn't really go out in my teens and 20s as I'd end up coughing and on one memorable occasion waking up with a very swollen face as the stale cigarette smell in my hair had caused my skin to react.
When the smoking ban came in I went out to celebrate. So nice to not come home ill and stinking.

Don't like being forced outside to smoke? Quit.

It's a case of common decency, regardless of how much smoke there may be in that short period of time. However, that also depends on the number of people doing it in that location at the time.

I choose to smoke, I know it's bad for my health and I'll have to live with the consequences if they arise, that's my choice over my health. I won't however, remove the choice from non smokers by smoking near them when it is me doing something that isn't natural at the end of the day, nor necessary other than my own nicotine fix.

On holiday this summer I met a friendly expat who wanted to tell me all about her life in the country I was visiting. She wanted to lean on my pram with sleeping baby inside and she was chain smoking all over baby. At every opportunity I moved the pram away but she would shuffle after it and lean on it again.

I was too polite to say anything. 😫 I’m an idiot sometimes.

I think people are conflating danger and finding something unpleasant.

I cannot for the life of me think that a cigarette smoked outside, near a pregnant woman causes any high risks or impacts. If there are, can you share.

My mum smokes and smoked through her pregnancy with me and not my brother, as he was born after an education campaign. So, as a child who had her entire gestation with a mother inhaling 20 worth of cigarettes a day, i can say i am here and normal.

Also the old argument about exhaust fumes is often brought out as an excuse to be an inconsiderate smoker, and it doesn't actually hold much weight

the evidence and data gathered to reach the conclusion that ULEZ zones are needed suggest that the argument your dismissing is pretty hefty actually.

ex-smoker now vaper - don’t do it around anyone, and certainly not those sweetie flavoured things. Exposure totalling seconds isn’t going to do anything. might not be pleasant but it’s not enough to do anything.

I inhaled more smoke from neighbours bbq’s this summer than you would walking past a smoker.

This is not how science works.
Maternal smoking during pregnancy is the biggest risk factor for SIDS. Smoking also negatively affects a baby’s growth in the womb. You being here and fine does not make either of those things untrue.

@Bansheed
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/stop-smoking/
Or if you like to read the science behind the advice :
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=fr&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=maternal+smoking+and+sids+correlation&oq=maternal+smoking+and+SIDS+correl#d=gs_qabs&t=1694529570820&u=%23p%3Dz_ryLFrEVBIJ For SIDS risk

https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=fr&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=maternal+smoking+and+low+birth+weight+correlation&btnG=#d=gs_qabs&t=1694529773678&u=%23p%3DAgIoYnWebUIJ For link to low birth weight

Trying to control them? You mean trying to minimise the impact of their choices on other people?

You misunderstand my point.
I did not say exhaust fumes are not of concern, because they clearly are.
I said that justifying smoking (especially around non-smokers) because exhaust fumes also cause pollution is a very weak argument.

@Nevermind202020

Trying to control them? You mean trying to minimise the impact of their choices on other people?

This! I don't like having to walk through clouds of vapour in much the same way as I dislike having to walk through cigarette smoke. Vaping is equally gross as the vapour has been expelled from the mouth of the person vaping. Again, people's choice and I have no issue with that if done in the area provided for it.....just not bang in the doorways of public places.

I get it if you're asthmatic, but if it's just the smell of smoke for two seconds, I really do think people need to get a grip.

Anyone who says second-hand smoke is not an issue if you are only exposed for a few seconds - would you not mind if instead of cigarette smoke, it were farts? Would you be happy to smell those for a few seconds?

@LastTrainEast

Because you passed a law requiring them to go outside. You got exactly what you asked for and it's too late to cry now.

Did I? Gosh 😱 I might try my super powers to ban them completely then!

No I mean trying to control them.

🙄

This really annoys me when I am with my baby too.

Eh? Are you moving away from arguing that cigarette smoke has health considerations to arguing people shouldn’t be exposed to unpleasant smells? Outside?

Disgusting, smoking in public should be banned. As for any smokers defending the habit, it's all fun and games until you die of lung cancer in your 50s.

It is grim. Had a coffee with some friends over the weekend in the garden of a cafe. It was hot so we sat outside. I didn't realise they allowed smokers until one came out. One friend has cancer so could do without it and we moved inside.

We won't be going back. Hate having to put up with it. Would rather it were banned in all public places.

@GOODCAT

Yes, sadly we've had the same only we were eating outdoors, in the sunshine, enjoying the view of the bay. A group of four then came and sat on the next table and promptly lit up....all four of them....so we had to also ask to be moved inside as it was beyond gross trying to enjoy a meal with cigarette smoke billowing around us. It is a total lack of consideration for others when smokers do this. I too, would welcome a ban in public places like some countries have already done. What people choose to do in their own homes is their choice but in public....nah!

As for any smokers defending the habit, it's all fun and games until you die of lung cancer in your 50s.

Honestly, this. I know so many smokers or ex-smokers (now vapers) with persistent hacking coughs, they have really suffered when they have caught covid compared to some others, they have respiratory issues, they have the standard I-smoked-for-twenty-years age lines...and they moan about their general health and appearance...but don't give up the vaping or correlate the two things.

Same here. On the scale of anti-social behaviour (with 10 being the highest) it's a 1 for me!

Out of control dogs, cars on pavements, people dawdling along staring at their phones, playing loud music etc are far higher up the scale for me!

Although goodness knows why anyone under the age of 40 smokes. They must be particularly stupid.

It's bad for your health, bad for your skin and bad for your teeth and breath.

We went to a pub for lunch on Monday. Sat outside, the entire patio area was non-smoking. Lovely.

Compare this with Sunday. Met friends at a pub in London. Boiling day, sat outside on canal side terrace. Smoking permitted despite loads of people eating. Omg. It was rank. The couple next door to us lit one after another. My hair reeked afterwards. It’s just so revolting. I don’t think it’s damaging my health, it’s just bloody foul.

My local hospital is a smoke free site. They do have a little shelter for people to vape in though.