Smoking etiquette at bus stops?

Question

I almost always smoke when waiting for my bus and am wondering where non-smokers would prefer we satnd to smoke.

I never smoke in the shelter and always stand off to the side by 10 feet or so. Is this OK for most non-smokers or does it still bother you?

Answer 1

I hate it when people smoke around people who don't smoke with out their permission. After all, they are not smokers for a reason. I would make sure you stand far enough away where the smoke is not headed right into their direction.

Answer 2

You are being courteos enough.  Standing 10 feet away and refraining from smoking in the shelter if fine enough.  Don't listen to anyone who says that you are rude if this is how you really behave.

I do hope you end up quitting though.

Answer 3

I live in Ottawa Ontario and you can't smoke at bus stops anymore or risk getting a fine I stand off about 10-20 feet.

Answer 4

Great question, I take the bus daily and also always smoke a cig while waiting.  I've always wondered if people minded.  I try to be curteous to people.

I was once yelled at by a driver because there was still smoke coming out of my mouth when I stepped into the bus.  I took a huge drag before entering the bus and thought I completely exhaled the smoke.  I felt so bad.

Answer 5

I am glad that you consider non-smokers who are around you.  You must also realize that smokers are loosing more and more of their ground when it comes to smoking.  Many states are adopting smoking laws.  In January 2008 Illinois started enforcing a law that says you can not smoke in any public space and that you must be 15 feet away from a door.  Now what is happening at restaurants is that everyone stands outside the door to smoke. So entering and leaving the restaurant you walk though a cloud of smoke (it was better when they had a no smoking section inside the restaurant).  There is a number you are able to call to report these violations - I am going to start only because I have a 9 month old daughter and I hate carrying her though this cloud when we go out.  However, if you are asking your state probably does not have any rules in effect yet.  You mentioned ten feet - I would continue this practice (if you visit IL we may ask you to be 15 feet away).  Please take into considerations wind direction.  But for the most part if people waiting for the bus see you make an effort to take the other peoples consideration into thought they will appreciate it.  I know its an addiction but try to quit.  Good Luck!

Answer 6

well its still goin 2 bother me the fact that your still smokin but not even closs to the idiot who stand rite there nd blow it in your face. but i think what you do is very considerate! :)

Answer 7

it still bothers us but it helps to kno that u try to stay away from the non smokers, the wind still blows it but your effort helps! Thank you very much because I hate when people just stand there like its all good and the world revolves around their smoking

Answer 8

The answer to that question lies in the wind direction.  As much as I appreciate smokers giving me space, it doesn't help much if the wind is blowing the smoke over to me.  Other than that, I have to thank you for being so considerate. :)

Answer 9

i am a non smoker,just stand where the wind wont blow toward me,my mother is a non smoker and she was just dx with lung cancer.its your body it is your choice.

Answer 10

you sound like a thoughtful person. i dont smoke and hate inhaling it. 10feet probly isnt enough. have you asked your doctor for a patch or something? you'd be happier if you quit.

Answer 11

Kudos for being concerned for others, not enough people are these days.  I would think 10 feet should be plenty unless theres a really strong wind.

Answer 12

Smokers just don't get it. We can smell your smoke no matter how far away you stand! It stinks! And it makes some of us sick. Then you throw the butt on the ground and it makes the place look and smell even nastier. If you want to smoke, do it at home.

Answer 13

Etiquette-wise, you should always be considerate of other people's comfort.  If you apply that to smoking, you should stay aware that other people find the smell and health hazards of cigarette smoke "uncomfortable", to say the least.  Therefore, you should not subject other people to your smoke in a setting where they can't move away, such as a waiting line.  Keep in mind that the smell is farther-reaching and longer-lasting than you personally are aware of, since you as the smoker are so quickly overwhelmed and adjusted to it.

10 feet away sounds like a reasonable distance, especially if you are downwind.  Ideally, you could smoke on your walk *to* the bus stop, so you could wait there without smoking, but the distance sounds totally reasonable and considerate.

Answer 14

lol u know what laura? smoke wherever the h**l u wanna smoke, cant u read their answers? ur too good to actually get those kinda answers . they care less and would always judge u ,maybe cuz the smoke has a mind and would travel to them and bite them in the A$$ .

Answer 15

I smoke in the outdoor elevator at my college and while waiting for the elevator, I love pissing off uptight people who think they cant stand 20 secs of cigarette smoke without dropping dead.

Answer 16

Non-smokers shouldnt have a problem with where you stand.

Its just nicer if they ask you to move.

until then dont worry about it smoke where you want.

Answer 17

I am a non smoker and I wish others will be like you  U R A O K

Answer 18

Frankly, it's nice to see you care.

I'm a second-hand smoker cause of my mom, so I know what you mean. The distance you're standing seems to be far away enough, but regardless, just make sure the wind is blowing in the direction where the smoke is going away from the other people. Cause sometimes, even 10 feet away, if the wind carries it over to the other people, it's still annoying.

Answer 19

I think it's okay as long as you stand off to the side, and be extra careful not to blow it toward the other people. Especially if they have babies/children. Stand downwind. :)

Answer 20

second hand smoke is proven to be worse then the smoke you inhail, because it is a lot of the toxins you don't want entering out of your cigarette.

So, as long as I'm not breathing it in, I'm good.

Answer 21

It's nice and considerate of you to smoke ten feet away from the shelter.

   The problem is that I find that non-smokers have become fanatical and complain even when you're outside.

    The first answerer is typical of the arrogance that non or ex smokers are starting to display.

    It seems that smokers are becoming second-class citizens and there seems to be no appeasing the non-smokers.

     I'm particularly miffed because tobacco products have always been a cash cow for the governments and the smoker has contributed lots of money to the tax base, and is now being treated like a degenerate.

Answer 22

I used to smoke (just quit) but I did the same thing you did -- stood at least 10 feet away from everyone else and never smoked inside the shelter.  Never got any complaints or dirty looks.  You should be fine.

Answer 23

Honestly, it shouldn't matter. All this anti-smoking propaganda nowadays is just ludicrous. As long as you are outside of the shelter it is your right as an American to smoke where you please in an outdoor environment. (As long as you don't litter)

Answer 24

I'm a smoker and try to stay back from non-smokers. I've never had anyone complain, seems like as long as you are outside most people really don't care.

Answer 25

Personally I would prefer if smokers didn't smoke in public, but because you can I say as long as the wind isn't blowing the smoke towards them and are at least 10 feet away, that should be ok.

Answer 26

Its very thoughtful of you to be concerned. Preferable stand so that the wind does not blow the smoke into my face.  This is usually right behind the person.  Its not often that smokers would even care about this so I'm impressed you asked.  As long as there is little chance of the smoke blowing into my clothes leaving me smelling like smoke all day then I am not offended.

Answer 27

I'm a non-smoker and as long as it's not blowing in my face I don't care where you stand. If the wind changes but you are being respectful, then I will show the same courtesy and move myself.

Answer 28

As long as you are like 5 feet or so away I don't care, and as long as you don't smoke AT ALL around children who may be at the bus stop, then I don't care. I hate when people smoke around kids though!

Answer 29

It is your God given right to smoke anywhere. If the dweebs don't like it they can stand out in the rain.

Answer 30

i smoke and i had a lady once, an old bat get mad cuz i was smoking while waiting for the bus. now this particular bus stop is huge n has basically the whole area "out" which means u r free to smoke around it, so i was sitting there first smoking, the old hag saw me smoking yet came to stand next to me then complained about the smoke...i js looked at her n kept smoking. there were no "no smoking" signs plus there was an inside area she could have gone to cuz everybody lights up out there...everyone bcuz ure free to. i finished my cigarette then dropped it down without steppin on it, yes it was mean but how dare she complain n fuss at me for smokin in a place where im free to smoke n she came to stand next to me while i was smoking..it was obvious where the non smokers were standing

Answer 31

10 feet is probably good enough distance. I don't like being in close proximity to smokers. Might want to watch the wind direction though, still don't want it to blow at others.