to object to people smoking at Race for Life event?

[melpomene]

I ran Race for Life today and it was great, but dh and I were aghast to see people smoking at the event (both spectators and participants). Just how insensitive do you have to be to realise that it's not a good idea to have cigarettes at an event that's supposed to be about preventing deaths from cancer, and where lots of people are running in memory of loved ones who have died of lung cancer?

I asked one of the Race for Life volunteers about it and he said that it was against the rules to smoke, though there weren't any signs up.

[Morloth]

Is it bad that I would actually find it quite amusing to see people people smoking at a charity run for cancer?

As long as they don't want me to smoke I don't really care all that much. People know smoking is bad for you, they are adults and they are doing it outside. My interest is lost at that point.

[TheDevilWearsYFronts]

I'm doing it in a couple of weeks, bloody hell, now I can't light up when I've crossed the finish line?

I'll be needing it that's for damn sure. Hopefully there'll be a bikeshed I can sneak behind.

[dizzydixies]

any Race for Life event I've worked at there were announcements stating that it was a non smoking event however you cannot police an open air event, it is an addiction and people will still do it

it might not be in the best taste considering the cause behind the event however as far as I'm concerned as long as there is money being raised for such a worthwhile cause ignore it

[junglist1]

At the end of the day they did well to take part in the event, and should be applauded for that. I know people who've had cancer and never smoked in their life. It's all a bit over the top now, smokers are treated like the lowest of the low, as far as I'm aware nobody has died from inhaling a whiff of cigarette smoke in the street? And I don't smoke by the way.

[LovelyTinOfSpam]

melpomene would you rather that smokers who cannot go this long without a cigarette not attend/participate in this charity event at all?

[junglist1]

And also a good point was made about driving. Children from highly populated areas have a significantly higher risk of developing asthma. But car drivers would NEVER be demonised as smokers are because of the amount of tax they pay (not saying they should be demonised). Remember where hysteria stems from in the first place.

[OrmIrian]

I don't think I have ever knowingly been aghast. I must try. It's a very good word.

YABU. Unpleasant as it might have been, how can smoking be against the rules in an outdoor space? And if some of the smokers had taken up running it may lead to them wanting to give up.

[LovelyTinOfSpam]

I am frequently aghast, orm. It is very satisfying.

You need to practice dropping your jaw, boggling, and speaking in an outraged and slightly squeaky tone, to do it sucessfully.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Yes, aghast is a good word, however is trumped by scandalised said in suitably breathless tones.

OP - YABU. It is an open aired event, it maybe against the general feeling of the event, but still.

[Overmydeadbody]

YABU if the race for life event was outside in a public space.

[GrandadOnagar]

It was outside and they were supporting you so YABU. And while smoking may well contribute to cancer so does car exhaust but you all drove there right?

[MitchyInge]

YAB very U

[pingping]

I smoked when I did race for life I did walk behind one of the tents though but regardless each to their own I ran the whole way as well pretty good for a smoker

[Mintyy]

Smoking is incongruous (sp?) everywhere, though. Not just at a race for life.

Starlight - I think you overstate the difficulty of overcoming nicotine addiction, honestly I do.

[pingping]

Mintyy why do you think smoking is incongruous

[R2G]

I'm signing off this thread it's making me want a cigarette again. I'm aghast that you and your husband were aghast. You sound like a pair of Edwardians do you call him 'sir' and courtsey. Smokers should all be put down what an incongruous bunch of gits, always moaning on about their civil liberties while poisoning the rest of us and just nt getting the SPIRIT of it ...booo!

[Mintyy]

Well, because it doesn't make sense does it? Its illogical. It doesn't have one redeeming feature apart from the relief of withdrawal symptoms of nicotine, which you would not suffer if you did not smoke .

[junglist1]

R2G

[pingping]

Looooooooool R2G

Mintyy why doesn't it make sense? I am so lost with your posts

[GrandadOnagar]

Mintyy, it felt good the first time so that isn't entirely accurate.

Also the average distance traveled takes as long now as it did with a horse. The car therefore has no real benefit and causes cancer AND runs people over AND causes global warming (if that even exists).

[Gorionine]

I took part in 3 RFL and I cannot say I did notice anyone smocking but I do know that one of my co-runners is a smocker. I do not think I would have given a second thought at her smocking there. As other have said, it is an open air event. Do you think they are being insensitive to people whose cancer is due to smocking? I am not sure about what actually made you aghast.

[Mintyy]

It doesn't make sense because it costs you lots of money, it threatens your health, it makes you smell and you have to excuse yourself from other people's company sometimes to go and do it. People judge you for it, you have lots of fag buts snd ashtrays to clear up, your fingers and teeth sometimes become stained, your face wrinkles more, if you hair goes white that may be stained too. You have to deal with feelings of discomfort if you don't have any and sometimes go out of your way to shops when you wouldn't otherwise go to stock up on smokes.

That's a few reasons I can think of why smoking doesn't make sense.

Sorry you are lost with my posts ...

In a way I agree re. the car onager.

[Mintyy]

Btw, I think the op is BU, people should be free to smoke in the open air. Just in case I didn't make that clear .

[mayorquimby]

"It was in a public park "

yabu then in my opinion. open air public park nothing wrong with smoking there.

[SolidGoldBrass]

Oh there is nothing more wanky than an anti-smoking obsessive. People smoke. Get over it. When it's outside, in the open air, you have no need to whine (especially if you are a car owner)Cars are far more damaging to the environment and public health, but stupid peope can never ever get their heads round the fact that their car and their driving might actually be given up for other people's benefit.