Someone has to ruin it all the time (about smoking...)

[DivineMsDi]

Last night my husband, son and I went to a night-time program at our local nature center. My poor son is sick with a cold or allergies but he loves animals and really was looking forward to going. So we went. The program was supposed to be a night-time hike in the woods followed by the bon fire. Because of his cold, (it was also late for him to be up) we thought we would just do the hike and skip the fire.

My gripe is about this one woman in the group of about 25 who join in the hike. She was smoking when she arrived (bear in mind the there were about 10 kids and the rest adults). This was supposed to be a nature hike. It lasted about 45 minutes. She lit up again not 5 minutes after the hike started, and again while we were in the woods.

Okay, so tell me, why did she need 3 cigarettes in about 30 minutes? Not only did the rest of us have to smell her smoking, I think it was unfair to the animals in the preserve and our safety in a dry woods for her to be smoking.

The guide (who she happened to know) should have told her no smoking. It really annoyed me because it ruined the hike. I kept trying to steer my son and myself away from this woman. I get a headache from smoke. And, like I said, my son needs to avoid it with his cold.

After the hike we went home to avoid the smoke from the bonfire. I wish I could have avoided this woman's smoke. Why did she think she needed to smoke three cigarettes in 30 minutes? If the woods would have caught fire, we would have been trapped as it was one way in and one way out, single file.

I think the guide was wrong to allow her to smoke. I also think the woman was wrong for smoking on a nature hike. I don't think I should have to look like the fool and ask the guide to ask the woman to put out the cigarette.

Just my gripe. PLEASE! Don't turn this into "I smoke, you are bashing me." I just want to know what you all think (smoking or not).

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[momfromTN]

She should not have been allowed to smoke in the woods. Period. I would complain to the place heading up the hike. That is exactly why some of our fires here in Florida have been so bad lately. Some dumb fart decides to pitch a lit ciggy out the window on I-95 and because we are so dry at this time, PooF! Instant forest fire. Inconsiderate people. Now, to be fair,not ALL the fires are by smokers. But a lot of them have been found to be.

[Angelseyes28]

Were there no smoking signs or anything as you entered the trail? If not, then she didn't do anything wrong by breaking any rules.

[freeby4me]

Im not bashing anyone (I used to smoke myself) But I always thought it was funny how people go out for a walk or hike and get some "fresh air" and smoke. Kinda defeting the purpose I think lol. But yes, I agree, She shouldnt have been smoking. 30 minutes isnt that long, She could have waited to go back to the car.

[DivineMsDi]

I didn't say she was breaking any rules. (except being civil to your other hikers)

It's just common sense you don't chain smoke on a nature hike.(3 ciggies in 30 minutes=chainsmoking in my mind).

Yeah, I hate smoking. I really do. But I blame the hike leader, not the woman. I may call up and complain.

[DBackFan]

Well personally since the entire time it was outside I don't think she did anything wrong. I mean she wasn't blowing it right in your face was she? Obviously there was no rule against it since the guide did not say anything either. Even smokers can appreciate nature and oftentimes participate in OUTDOOR events such as this to NOT offend others. Oh and by the way I have had 3 cigarettes in the past 30 minutes here.

[Angelseyes28]

But I blame the hike leader, not the woman. I may call up and complain.

How can you blame the hike leader when the woman wasn't breaking any rules?

[gonnascream]

ok, I have heard bashing for smoking in cars, in resturants, ect...BUT THIS ONE TAKES THE WHOLE FRIGGIN CAKE ! Jeeze where do some people get off with the whole " no-smoking anywhere on my planet " policy ???? You people are concerned about your health, FINE, we took the smoking outside, NOW thats not even good enough for you anymore. You don't even want us smoking outside around your preciouse kids. Well look, if you never want your kids exposed to other people, NEVER TAKE THEM OUTSIDE !

If there is a sign up, no I won't smoke. Same goes for someone's house or car. But if Im OUTSIDE, enjoying myself, yeah I will. But this is the most asinine complaint I have heard yet. Was she blowing it in your face ??? Did she flick her ashes on you ?? if not GET OVER IT. I wish that one day, maybe soon, the people (and I know this is a long shot) will understand that some people on this planet smoke, and UNLESS YOU PAY THIER BILLS, YOU CAN'T TELL THEM WHAT TO DO. No amount of complaining to someone "higher up" will help.

People, when you leave the house, you must understand that some people are different from you. You may not agree with everything people do. But it's people like that, that complain , even though there wasn't a sign up saying no smoking , that decide "well this is OFFENDING me so IM going to complain" that turn this country from the land of the free to a police state.

[EMSnurse]

Well, being a smoker I can honestly say that I might smoke while hiking, too. But I can also say that I would have made sure I was behind everyone else so the smoke didn't get in their face. I try my best to be condiderate of non-smokers, but I have rights too. And I have to say that I have a hard time understanding why it's ok to complain about smoking but I can't do a thing about all the heavy perfumes that cause my allergies to go into overdrive. I can take my cigarette smoke elsewhere if someone is allergic, but I've got to put up with the sneezing and congestion all day just for one whiff of perfume. Point is, we all have something we can complain about when attending public functions, but sometimes we just have to learn to be tolerant since none of us are perfect.

[turbob]

Why do you think the guide should be the one to ask her to put it out? Why didn't you just politely ask her to stop? I realize that it really bothered you, but if YOU are not willing to do something about it, why should anyone else?

[freeby4me]

Why do smokers feel like us NON SMOKERS owe them something? They're the ones ruining their health, They should not ruin ours. I used to smoke and I was NICE ABOUT IT. I never smoked in resteraunts even though it was allowed. I didnt smoke around people that didnt smoke. I felt self-conciense about it because Everyone said how much it stunk not to mention the side effects.
ITS RUDE TO SMOKE AROUND PEOPLE THAT DONT. PLAIN AND SIMPLE AS THAT.
one would think that for 30 minutes you could put that nasty thing down, But OH NO, She was outside AROUND KIDS AND OTHER NON-SMOKERS but them saying something about it makes them wrong???
I better stop.