Rules are for everyone!!

Another ex smoker here. I've had more than usual hospital appointments recently and found it hard not to feel cross with smokers, who huddle outside in our dreadful weather, wearing the pj's, hooked up to drips but desperate for a fag. Whist in the cardiology/lung function waiting room I watched a couple who struggled to breathe, complain about no smoking in the waiting room because it means they'd to go out into the bad weather for a fag.

I know, smoking is addictive. I've been a lapsed non smoker three times over the years and I hope never to lapse again. The restrictions on smoking have been a great help.

I would never smoke in the vicinity of anyone else if I could help it, but sometimes there is no choice. People are free to move away if they feel too close to a smoker. I would certainly never 'round on' anyone who coughed and accuse them of putting it on, that would be incredibly rude.

I agree, Antonia, I'm an ex-smoker too.

It can be annoying to desperate smokers to be subjected to the 'coughing and fanning' display, even though I appreciate that some (like the OP) have genuine health problems. A bit of give and take, perhaps...?

I am an ex smoker (3 years now), but a few years ago I was admitted urgently to a hospital here in France. It was non smoking, and therefore I spent a whole night in ever increasing withdrawal symptoms. I was awake the whole of the night, and even though I was attached to a drip, I managed to find a lift and find my way outside for a cigarette as soon as it was light. I discharged myself the same day as I was not able to cope with sudden withdrawal. Hospitals are supposed to be places to be cured, and intense, unremitting stress from withdrawal symptoms does not help anyone to get well. I have every sympathy with the lady who needed a cigarette, and I don't suppose the OP had any idea of the anguish suffered by a smoker who is denied a cigarette. I don't suppose the lady mean to upset anyone, she probably just needed her cigarette.

Well done wot - I wondered if you had managed it.
There's a similar little smoking club outside our local hospital (France). But most of them look undernourished and almost skeleton-like.
But I was nearly as bad at one time. Mis-spent youth.

I got to confess to being an ex-smoker too , I was so sick when expecting no 4 I couldn't smoke and managed to stay off them , that baby is 40+ now , she says she was my salvation

I used to do that, aggie!! I am so pleased I 'gave up' smoking at beginning of this year and should have done so years ago. What a terrible addiction it is.

Idiot woman , but nearly as stupid as the ones with drips on pull along stands out in the wind. and. the snow having a drag