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?

Smokers do smell, of course most folk are too polite to say that directly. Many have obvious lines around their mouth and eyes. Heavy smokers have yellowing on fingers etc. Honestly, non-smokers (especially those who have known smokers) can pretty much always tell if someone is a smoker when they are in reasonable proximity.

Why?
Why is it the non-polluter's problem?
Why is it not the smelly polluter's problem?
They smokers are the issue. Tjry don't 'own' outside.

Because they’re the ones taking issue with what others are legally doing. That’s why.

If I don’t like the smell of something, that again I will stress is being legally produced, then it’s on me to move away. I don’t get to demand that someone else stop what they’re perfectly entitled to do because my nose is offended.

Everybody knows the dangers of passive smoking so it's obviously really selfish to sit at a outside cafe table and blow it all over non smokers and children.
I really feel like restaurants and bars with outside seating should ban smoking completely on their premises.

Even if they did that people would stand on the pavement right next to the seating, where they have no say.

Thinking about it, these threads - especially about cafes and pub gardens - appear every Summer when there’s been a couple of sunny days. I think if you’re going to suddenly muscle your way into smokers’ spaces and expect them to pander to you, you’re going to get a bit of eye rolling.

Presumably they would if it was commercially viable. The fact that they don’t tells you it isn’t. Smokers use that outdoor seating all year round.

The smell of smoke doesn't bother me, I actually enjoy the smell of a pipe, but don't see many.
But the smell of a person after a cigarette, they smell disgusting, and pay £15 a packet to smell like that

They are entitled to smoke, anywhere outside, if there are no "no smoking" signs.
Thats not a "thinking they're entitled", that is "they are free to"
In exactly the same way that other people are free to do supremely irritating things that I don't like.
The world doesn't revolve around feelings, it revolves around facts, and the fact is - people smoking outside are doing exactly what society has dictated that they should do post smoking ban.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.. Why should I be put at risk of getting COPD because of other people's right to smoke.
The government should have put more rules in place when they made it illegal to smoke inside. It should include outside seating and to be at least 10 meters from public spaces.

Why should you? Because that’s what has been deemed legally reasonable when attempting to balance public health and individual liberties.

Whether being able to do something means that you’re going to do something is a decision that’s left up to the individual. You thinking they shouldn’t doesn’t mean they shouldn’t - what you think isn’t something they need to factor into their decision making at all.

You won’t get COPD from a smoker outdoors.

Agree, lots smoke where it is prohibited.

"So?

Plus that’s not true, you can still smoke in Japanese pubs called Izakaya. Smoking is common in Japan."

@ClaudiaWankleman
It is true. In Tokyo you aren't allowed to just smoke on the high street, you are to use the smoking booths.

You sound nice

Yes it's true you can't smoke in the streets in Tokyo. Although you can always nip down a side street for one.
It's also true that there are many indoor places you can smoke in Tokyo.
Izakaya as the pp said, small coffee shops, some restaurants etc. Many big shopping centres and department stores have smoking rooms. Business hotels still rent out smoking rooms.
If you're a non smoker you've probably taken no notice of these things but there are plenty of places provided to smoke in Tokyo. So it's a different scenario to here where it is banned everywhere indoors.

If places like shopping centres had smoking rooms or areas, I would happily use them. But none of those things have been provided so instead you get the fug of smoke as you walk in. Can't really blame the smokers entirely for that. You can say they should move away but the ashtrays/bins are usually right near the entrance. Making it an "unofficial" smoking spot.

What some people actually want is for everyone to just stop smoking. Arguing it's for this and that reason is just an excuse to moan about it. People just don't like it, whatever concessions smokers make. That's ok, but you can't force your will onto other people.

You could have chosen a cafe that doesn't allow smoking at all (And no I have never smoked).

Of all the inane mumsnettisms people use in lieu of an actual response, ‘you sound nice’ is easily in the top three.

'Perfectly entitled' 🫣🫣

Outside isn't a 'smoker's space'.

And they nearly always hold their cigarettes at the head height of small children walking/sitting in prams- it’s grim.

The point is smokers go outside all the time for a cigarette rain shine or hail when you will be sat inside lovely and cosy! Then the sun comes out and you expect them to move, you can't have it both ways!

But that is the smoker's own fault.
They don't own outside. 😬

No, but nor do non smokers. Smokers are fully entitled to smoke outside, whether you approve or not.

Correct.

Again this word 'entitled'.
Let's just replace it with 'selfish' because that's what you being when you do it so close to others.