Smoking hot

Good Food Blog

What is RSS?

Posted at 4:30PM, 19 July 2010 by Lily Barclay - Writer, bbcgoodfood.com

The weather's scorching, and with it come all the usual British summer staples: sunburn, shorts and al fresco smoking. Sitting outside at pavement cafes is an important part of kidding ourselves that we too can be Continental, but when it comes to swallowing someone else's cigarette smoke with my cappuccino, I quickly lose my carefree cool.

I've got nothing against smokers, after all they are a valuable source of tax revenue

One of the perils of the smoking ban is that smokers everywhere are after those outside tables, but when you're sitting in a sunny restaurant courtyard, it can quickly turn into a smoky fug. Especially when the majority of cigarettes are pointed in the opposite direction from their owners. I've got nothing against smokers, after all they are a valuable source of tax revenue, I'd just rather their smoke wasn't directed towards my table. The last thing you want when you're eating a refreshing summer salad or a cooling lime posset is a mouthful of smoke as an aftertaste.

Perhaps the smoking ban should be seasonal; smokers should be restricted to outdoors in the winter and safely shut up inside in the summer. The trouble is this would leave the majority of my friends and even some of my family bolted up behind closed doors.

Having lunch with an old work friend last Christmas turned into a fairly drawn-out affair when she left the table every ten minutes to have a smoke, and that was after being persuaded that December is not the best time of year to eat outside.

It doesn't seem so long ago that I was sitting at a communal table in Chinatown while everyone happily puffed away, but times have changed and my tolerance seems to have dropped. I can cope with smoke at crowded bus stops, outside work and even in the park, but not as an aperitif to my main course.

How do you feel about smoking in outdoor restaurants?

Comments

lynn

20 July 2010, 3:40AM
lynn

Hey Lily - completely on board with the no smoking anywhere in the region of food - also very intrigued about the picture of the lavender coloured cafetiere and coffee cups - I'd love to know who makes them - if you know of course :-)

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
jazz

20 July 2010, 9:17AM
jazz

So the smoking ban kick's the smokers outside the pub, but when its convenient we should usher them away somewhere else?... Most of my friends are smokers too, but I don't have a problem with eating my salad whilst someone else is smoking... The smoking ban, unfortunatley, created terratories, this just so happens to be a smokers terratory, when i'm on their turf i won't complain.. At the end of the day, they left the pubs/clubs/resturants smoke free... Smokers have feelings too... :o)

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Caity

20 July 2010, 1:34PM
Caity

I agree with Jazz I'm afraid. I am a smoker unfortunately and shiver outside during the winter while non-smokers are nice and warm inside. However, as soon as the sun shines we are regarded as the interlopers, upseting the non-smokers enjoyment of the (brief) British summer. I agree that it isn't pleasent for some one to blow smoke all over someone who is eating, and always try not to do so my self, but honestly... we can't win! We have taken the smoking ban with (relatively) little complaint but where does it stop? Sorry for the rant!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
StormyRaincloud

20 July 2010, 1:41PM
StormyRaincloud

Totally agree, but as I can't stand the sun and heat i'll stay inside smoke free :) smokers unfortunately for normal people, suffer from an acute case of selfishness, I can't see that changing. Of course, if in their selfish 'woe is me' tirades, they have a problem with people not wanting their meals infected with smoke, they could always give up. There, sorted :)

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Stavros

20 July 2010, 3:09PM
Stavros

I thought smokers feelings, along their lungs were eroded away with each cigarette they puff? I like my feelings as much as I like my food (and lungs), Smoke Free. I often wonder how I managed in restaurants before the smoking ban, but I don't enjoy being reminded when dining outside. Maybe restaurants etc. should create an outside non-smoking zone during the summer months? Or, wait a minute, i've got a plan, Maybe smokers should only be allowed to smoke in the comfort of their own home?

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Zulu

20 July 2010, 3:29PM
Zulu

I agree with Stavros, why should I be out enjoying my day and get a face full of some elseâ��s second hand smoke, Smokers should respect those who do not wish to participate in their habit, and keep it at home.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Cassandra Amy Rose

20 July 2010, 7:48PM
Cassandra Amy Rose

Even if you don't smoke, you are at greater risks of lung cancer etc, coz there is so much smoke in the air now. Most smokers try not to give you a mouth full of smoke, which I guess just means someone else gets a face full of it. It does seem a bit weird just ushering smokers about were-ever is convenient for every one else though. Or maybe, putting it that way, it doesn't.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
ericarsuperstar

22 July 2010, 10:09AM
ericarsuperstar

Even when you could smoke anywhere you liked, itÂ´s always been rude to smoke whilst someone is eating. Be it at your table or at the next table! Why has that changed? Now it seems that because smokers HAVE to smoke outside, they will do so as much as they can in order to prove a point. I know some very considerate smokers, but I also know some very selfish smokers. The only way to overcome this is to completely ban smoking everywhere - never going to happen as they contribute so much tax wise to our economies...

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
tanya

23 July 2010, 8:03PM
tanya

I agree with Ericarsuperstar. It looks like some smokers regard summer as a revenge for winter! I never choose a table next to somebody who is smoking but smokers will sit and smoke without looking around and I am usually with a small child!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
sandy

19 August 2010, 12:38AM
sandy

We are so behind with smoking regulations. Australia has far stricter rules on smoking. They have even thought of the damage caused to children through passive smoking in cars. Why is our government so slow to implement stricter regulations, perhaps the revenue they gain from taxes.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Mrs Figg

19 August 2010, 6:44AM
Mrs Figg

Could we have a no smoking area in pub gardens?

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:

Your binder

Here are three other great reasons to sign up:

You get an online binder, where you can store all your favourite recipes and create menus.
You can add your own recipes to this site for others to try; plus, rate and make comments on recipes, and share your views on our blog.
You can sign up for our weekly newsletter (sent out on Wednesdays) - it's packed with recipes, special offers and competitions.