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AIBU smoking outdoors?

(39 Posts)
Sago Mon 22-Jun-26 19:46:16

I am an ex smoker, not touched one in over 20 years but I was a pretty committed smoker, cancer in my 30’s meant I had to stop.

I am not evangelical about smoking as I remember how much I loved it.

Today at a garden centre someone was wandering around puffing away, the smoke was blowing in my direction and I have to say it was really unpleasant.

I don’t know why it irritated me so much after all it was outside but I felt it was too public a place to smoke.

AIBU?

Witzend Mon 22-Jun-26 19:57:31

Must say that as an ex smoker I love getting a whiff of someone else’s fag!

Fallingstar Mon 22-Jun-26 20:13:49

Vapes are equally annoying and give off a huge plume of smoke/steam that smells like acrid rotten fruit and will engulf anyone in a vapers direct vicinity.

MissAdventure Mon 22-Jun-26 20:18:54

Ii can see both sides of this.
On the one hand, its not nice (unless you're witzend!) to be close to cigarette smoke.

The other is, where can smokers go to enjoy a fag in peace?

Oldnproud Mon 22-Jun-26 20:42:13

To be honest, I am surprised that anyone would think it OK to smoke on the outside premises of a business nowadays, apart from pub- type places, and even then I thought they usually confined it to a designated space.
I certainly haven't come across it myself, but I don't really get out very much, and yes it would annoy me if I was near enough to smell it.!

Deedaa Mon 22-Jun-26 20:53:46

I was shopping today and a man walked past me reeking of cigarettes. It made me realise how rarely I come across anyone who actually smokes.

Jaxjacky Mon 22-Jun-26 20:54:04

I’d have moved Sago
I vape and have no great clouds of vapour Fallingstar depends on the type of vape and juice used. I don’t vape near people I don’t know anyway, you can generally vape where you like.

AskAlice Mon 22-Jun-26 21:21:11

No you're NOT being unreasonable if the smoke was blowing directly at you. And I say that as a smoker. I'm always very aware of being a social pariah and am so careful now about where or if I smoke if I am not at home. For instance, even if I go outside a bar or restaurant to have a "breath of fresh air" as I call it, I make sure to walk a fair distance to find a side road off the main thoroughfare so as not to inflict my addiction on others.

At a garden cente, I certainly wouldn't light up as there are so many others around, including young children very often! It doesn't take a lot of willpower to deny yourself for a couple of hours, surely? I was at an RHS garden show for the day recently, and found a very quiet spot behind a large trailer with no others in sight to have my fresh air quota. I still felt guilty. A bit like behind the bike sheds at school.

I am trying to quit, honest. I've downloaded Alan Carr's book and will try my best!

LauraNorderr Mon 22-Jun-26 21:30:29

I quit smoking back in 1995, must say I don’t enjoy getting a whiff of some else’s smoke but am very aware that I inflicted it on others once upon a time without a second thought.
I recently spent three months in and around the hospital while Orlin was very ill and was very conscious of the huge numbers of patients in their pyjamas hanging around just outside the entrance having a cigarette. Some of them attached to drips and a few with oxygen tubes in their noses.
Hmmm

LauraNorderr Mon 22-Jun-26 21:32:09

A very good reason to stop Sago.

NotSpaghetti Mon 22-Jun-26 22:23:56

I don't think it should be allowed as the outside of a garden centre us still someone's workplace.

It's not really a public space is it?
Technically I suppose it might be a shop??

NotSpaghetti Mon 22-Jun-26 22:25:56

Wishing you all the best AskAlice
🤞

Ilovecheese Mon 22-Jun-26 22:30:29

Witzend

Must say that as an ex smoker I love getting a whiff of someone else’s fag!

I feel the same.

NotSpaghetti Mon 22-Jun-26 22:36:17

I found this really interesting and have looked it up...

Because smoke-free law only covers enclosed or substantially enclosed spaces, non-smoking staff do not have automatic, statutory protection from second-hand smoke if they are working in the open-air parts of the garden centre and the public technically can smoke as it's open air.

The HSE says employers should create a formal "Workplace Smoking Policy" and to protect their staff, most responsible garden centres have a total ban or a designated area.

Maybe yours doesn't Sago.
I will look at ours next time I go

Plevey08 Mon 22-Jun-26 22:41:04

I don't mind the occasional whiff of a fag or vape as an ex-smoker...brings back fun memories. I don't like the smell of weed in towns though.

Tenko Tue 23-Jun-26 07:35:59

No you’re not being unreasonable. I’ve never smoked and hate the smell of cigarettes . I’m currently on holiday in Greece and noticed lots of other nationalities smoking in outdoor restaurants , which they’re allowed to do , but many smoke in front of their dining companions. Whilst they’re eating .
And due to tables being close together , you get smoke wafting our way

Sago Tue 23-Jun-26 08:58:26

AskAlice I gave up using the Nicorette inhalator the patches made me feel ill.

It wasn’t easy but once I got over the first week it got better.

I would love to say I felt better for it but honestly I didn’t really but I was recovering from fairly major surgery and was having treatment.
Friends said my skin looked a lot better though.

A few weeks on I felt so liberated not having to buy cigarettes, worrying about running out etc.

I have never desired to have a cigarette since I gave up although in my dreams I’m still a smoker!

Grantanow Tue 23-Jun-26 10:38:45

Frankly, I doubt occasional outdoor secondhand smoke is much of a health risk. I lived with high levels of exposure at home for many years growing up without any consequences whatsoever.

Jockytaff Tue 23-Jun-26 14:05:45

MissAdventure. In their own home.

Alison333 Tue 23-Jun-26 14:06:47

Slightly off topic but any ex-smokers between ages 50-75 (I think the ages are correct) can contact the NHS Lung Health programme if it comes to your area. It meant a telephone interview which might be followed up by an in-person check and CT scan.

These checks pick up things ultra-early so please get one if the lung checks arrive in your area and if you have ever smoked. Even if you gave up 40 years ago!

Jess20 Tue 23-Jun-26 14:10:00

Is Farage still harping on about allowing smoking in public places like pubs if reform gets into power? 🤔

Camry1952 Tue 23-Jun-26 14:16:50

It would only take one careless smoker to start fire and a garden center has a lot of flammable items. That would be my concern if I were the owner.

4allweknow Tue 23-Jun-26 14:41:07

Can't stand the smoke or smell from cigarettes nor the vapes. If I find myself anywhere near someine smoking or vaping I move away. Even if not doing either and I can still sense the awful smell I won't go near them. Worst situation is in a lift, if someone smelling like a smoker gets in, then Im out. Smokers dhoukd be restricted to home or private propert with permission. Who on earth can afford cigarettes or vapes nowadays, they cost a small fortune. I worked with a dental surgeon and an orthodontist, their thoughts on smoking - get a dummy tit, it's the sucking sensation that's desired.

Essexgirl145 Tue 23-Jun-26 14:42:03

Oh Witzend, so do If I could relive one thing it would be curling up on the sofa with a really good book and a kingsize Rothmans. It was bliss...........until I found out what it was doing to me.

glasses Tue 23-Jun-26 14:53:23

A nearby shop has just become a Vape and barbershop. The customers and staff stand outside smoking everything including weed and my porch smells of it. The council can't do anything and I can't open windows at the front of the house.