would it be wrong too......?

[sntaylor]

Slight back ground ......

I am asthmatic, and have been for the majority if not all of my 25 years of life... My parents smoke, and when I stayed with them (until two years ago this week)I constantly had arguments with them as the smoke would cause me to cough.... I have also had a nasal drip for over ten years which causes me to cough regularly anyway often bringing up phlegm with it (lovely I know....)

So my question is...when in public (walking the street, passing a supermarkets front doors etc...) And I pass someone who is smoking, would it be right for me to go up to their face and cough and splutter into it?

They have after all created the scenario for me to start coughing in the first place!

I stay in Scotland where it is only illegal to smoke inside public buildings, supposedly bus stops too, but it doesn't prevent people!

 

[Mikestony]

I think it would be wrong to do that. Would you feel like doing that? Probably, but think about it, what would happen? A fight? A gun drawn? Lawsuit? Nothing?
I mean, if my wife was killed by a drunk driver, it doesn't give me the right to go into a bar and start breaking bottles. Violence usually begets violence.

 

[i VTAK]

If you coughed right into my face we'd probly be fighting. I had nothing to do with your coughing.

 

[chrlswltrs]

1. Yes it would be wrong.
2. If someone intentionally coughed in my face they would probably have a broken jaw about 1/2 a second later and it would be completely justified.

If you are outdoors there is no reason you can't walk a couple feet extra to avoid a smell or smoke you don't like, there is always plenty of space outside. When people smell like they bathed in their perfume/cologne it bothers me but that doesn't give me the right to do anything to them.

Also, you never know what kind of communicable disease someone might have, which is why I think the broken jaw is completely justified.

 

[DragonSlayer95]

Shamefully to say I'm an asthmatic smoker myself.

Would it be wrong? Yes

Adult thing to do is at least ask them not to blow their smoke around you or in their direction.

I'll pay for the smoking and being asthmatic, but my mess up

Sent From My Paranoid Evo 3D Using TapaTalk 2

 

[Tman5293]

I'm not a smoker but if you came up and coughed in my face we would have some serious issues. You'd probably have a bloody nose less than 5 seconds following.

 

[sntaylor]

Rightly so, as I expected, people would become violent...I too would do the same!

However, in this day and age, is it right to a) allow smoking at all and b) allow it any public place c) at least confine it more so, and say that there are certain streets that are too become smoke free.

It's not like there is any controversy over the health factors of smoking!

At least with alcohol there are some drinks deemed to good in small doses (guinness gives iron, and red wine is good for the heart, but advice does change from tone to time)

 

[Slug]

when in public (walking the street, passing a supermarkets front doors etc...) And I pass someone who is smoking, would it be right for me to go up to their face and cough and splutter into it?
[...]
I stay in Scotland where it is only illegal to smoke inside public buildings

You've answered your own question. You may not like it, but smoking in the street isn't (yet) against the law. What you suggest could be treated as assault and leave you open to criminal prosecution.

Incidentally, the definition of "public building" includes a minimum distance from building entrances that is also in the no-smoking zone, but that's up to the building owner/manager to enforce. Complaints to them, copied if necessary to the company head office, usually get results.

 

[Shinji01]

I would applaud you for your courage if you do.
I personally think smoking should be banned in open air and public restaurants because people close by can have sicknesses like asthma.

 

[Bob Maxey]

Slight back ground ......

I am asthmatic, and have been for the majority if not all of my 25 years of life... My parents smoke, and when I stayed with them (until two years ago this week)I constantly had arguments with them as the smoke would cause me to cough.... I have also had a nasal drip for over ten years which causes me to cough regularly anyway often bringing up phlegm with it (lovely I know....)

So my question is...when in public (walking the street, passing a supermarkets front doors etc...) And I pass someone who is smoking, would it be right for me to go up to their face and cough and splutter into it?

They have after all created the scenario for me to start coughing in the first place!

I stay in Scotland where it is only illegal to smoke inside public buildings, supposedly bus stops too, but it doesn't prevent people!

Very interesting question. Off hand, NO! It would not be right. We smokers object to the propaganda offered by many non-smokers and the media. We are facing laws that make it illegal to smoke in our homes and some companies will not allow you to smoke in your own car if it is on their property.

OK, I get it. Rules are rules and if you do not like the rules, work somewhere else.

What if I walk past you and smell your perfume? If I am sensitive to such products, can I spit and cough and sputter on you? Do I have a right to get in your face and tell you how I feel about fat people ordering everything super-sized?

Not saying you are fat, do not take offense.

If you go to a restraunt where salt on the table is no longer legal, do I have a right to complain to the managers or call the salt coppers?

It has to end before everything we do is illegal and people like "you" can get away with such actions. Again, nothing against you.

So no, you do not have the right to get in my face since my smoking likely does not truly cause you a problem. One could consider that action assault and if you were to make it a common practice, you could get stabbed in the head.

A short story: years ago, smoking in restraunts was made illegal. I was enjoying a smoke at the end of the bar on the last day it was legal and I watched some old fart go out of his way to sit next to me and read me the riot act. I'll admit it. I blew smoke in his face and told him to mind his own GD business.

 

[Bob Maxey]

You've answered your own question. You may not like it, but smoking in the street isn't (yet) against the law. What you suggest could be treated as assault and leave you open to criminal prosecution.

Incidentally, the definition of "public building" includes a minimum distance from building entrances that is also in the no-smoking zone, but that's up to the building owner/manager to enforce. Complaints to them, copied if necessary to the company head office, usually get results.

I do not smoke around others. I do not smoke in my house. I do not smoke on the train platform; around kids, old farts or anyone else, for that matter. I do smoke in the park by my house, however. Usually, at 3:00 in the AM.

If someone like the OP were to make a concerted effort to bother me when it is easier to just shuffle down the road and curse under their breath, they can expect a reaction. If I am 20 or so feet away from the building, I'll smoke. Like it or not, that is just how it is. Untill it is made illegal, we have a right to use a legally purchased product.

I am sick and tired of people pushing us evil smokers around. We might get the last laugh when something the non-smoker loves is made illegal. Non-smokers should actually stand up for our "rights" because I see a day when something you like is banned.

 

[!on]

For sure. Never mind the utter hypocrisy of collecting tax from smokers while treating them in this manner.

I would've thought if there's one place you'd be allowed to smoke, then it would be the same place you'd go to drink alcohol. In the UK (at least) they should have allowed smoking as normal, but instead introduce legislation for premises to install extractor fans & ventilation in designated smoking areas (indoors). Forcing people out in the cold is not good for health either.

I think it's a bit different when at home. For one thing, people NEED to be more responsible for the way they might impact on other peoples health in that building, especially if those people are family! This would not be the same as forcing licensed premises to install things, & it's difficult to persuade family members not to smoke, until it's too late.

To the OP: your parents should really be ashamed of smoking in the presence of an asthmatic person, especially when that person is you! At least when you're out & about, you have more freedom to move away. Of course if someone is blatantly blowing smoke at you you should complain.