Smoking outside in populated public places.

[Readytoevolve]

It was a beautiful day as I sat outside my local coffee shop with my 2 children, drinking smoothies and soaking up the sunshine.
Then BOOM, the table next to us lights up a cigarette and it blows our way.

The day before we were lining the streets for a tractor run…. We had a front view and the kids are at the front. Then BOOM, a man behind us lights up just as it’s beginning and is breathing the smoke down on us.

Why oh why is smoking allowed outside, and not just in designated smoking areas, where they can all sit and smoke together. It happens us all the time.

Yes they’re entitled to do it, but is it right? Hell no.

AIBU?

No, people shouldn’t smoke outdoors where close proximity to others is unavoidable. It’s selfish. YANBU

Smoking in outdoor queues is awful too as you don’t really have an option to move away without losing your place.

I hate it at bus stops. Especially when the smoker is often just holding the cigarette while the smoke (and smell) drifts over everyone & is hard to avoid

Most (if not all) Australian states ban smoking in indoor public venues, public places where children are likely to be, and cars where children under 18 are passengers. There are also a number of other smoking restrictions, varying by state and territory. Most of these bans have been in place for nearly two decades. Some people grumbled as each ban was implemented, but by and large, it is now just a part of the way of life.

Governments need to have the will to implement these changes. It is worth noting that deaths relating to COPD (caused mainly by smoking) in Australia are about 4% of total population, compared to the UK's 15%.

I'm picturing those exploding cigars from old movies OP! But yes, it's very annoying.

We should include vaping in this. It smells at least as bad as smoking.

I’m totally downplaying my frustration in my OP. It’s just constant, it makes me so angry.

Australia have the right approach. I’m sure if it was implemented in the UK it would be grumbled at. But also wonder what are the profile of people who smoke now are? It used to be all ages and classses…. Now what is it? I know my parents smoked when we were kids but stopped eventually.

Vaping is allowed indoors. It’s just crazy. It’s also enabling the younger generation (teenagers) to do it, it’s just too easy. The under 18 law has has very little impact from what I’ve understood in my area.

It’s just selfish. I smoked on and off through my younger days and we would always take ourselves to either a smoking area or just a corner out the way of other people. To light up while standing next to kids is awful!

It has no impact on your health. The ill effects of passive smoking were the reason for the smoking ban indoors. The smell is irrelevant.

"sat outside my local coffee shop with my 2 children, drinking smoothies and soaking up the sunshine. "

To be fair to the smokers they sit there for the 48 weeks a year when it's raining, snowing hailing, windy and cold, it's a bit entitled to think you should be able to kick them out for the 4 weeks a year when it's decent weather and actually enjoyable to use those seats isn't it?

When we had a dog there were fewer cafes that allowed dogs inside,we often sat outside in less than ideal weather, and I used to get annoyed that the outside tables were taken up by non dog owners in the summer. But accepted it was my choice to own a dog, just like it is a smoker’s choice to smoke. I never thought non dog owners were being entitled wanting to sit outside in the sun.

Yanbu but surely it should just be banned.

I’m old enough to still be so happy that smoking is banned indoors now.

You smoke don’t you? Come on be honest.

it does. Research is developing on this. But I assure you, it is as bad if not worse than smoking. I know a person in their 40’s who cough up blood when they exercise now and put it completely down to vaping. Naturally it’s hard to prove. But doctors can come to no other explanations.

And the tractors you were so keen to get up close to with your children were pumping out rose scented mountain air?

You're describing 2 different scenarios.
A cafe is more of a controlled environment and some don't allow smoking at outside tables. But you really can't whinge about someone smoking on a public street.

At the cafe you had a choice, inside or outside, if you pick outside then you take that risk. Or you find somewhere that is non smoking outside also.

That's how it is right now. I think at some stage there most likely will be more restrictions on smoking. But for now you can moan, but that's how it is.

Data shows you’re wrong.

I find it funny how I’m getting push back on this, so I assume those who are belittling my feelings on the matter are likely the offenders.

Tell me smokers, do you like being smelly? Cause despite popular belief amongst smokers, you still smell after taking a mint, your clothes wreak after smoking and non smokers are too polite to tell you. They just move away.

Ah so yet another 'AIBU?' where what you actually meant was 'I'm right, they're wrong, everyone validate me'.

😂😂