How to stop people smoking outside a school.

meer53

I bet the original question came from the parent of the child on the school council rather than the child.

building_with_lego

meer53 wrote: »

I bet the original question came from the parent of the child on the school council rather than the child.

Very possibly, but it seems to have some momentum within the school council, lots of children (apparently) citing it as a major concern for them.

I believe that the school has asked in newsletters for the proximal smoking to stop, to no avail.

It seems that the consensus is to live and let live and show another generation that hanging around school smoking is the norm because it's not against the law.








I have never even seen this school at this time of day but I'm interested by how challenged I feel by some of the responses here. I am a teacher (and must uphold the Teachers' Standards of behaviour) but am also an ex-smoker and I worked for a long time in the Licensing Trade so was aware of the many and regular changes to the laws around smoking in public places. My own children's schools simply do not have parents or teachers hanging around outside smoking, and I think I would be shocked if I saw it. I guess I have my own biases against people who smoke outside schools!

boliston

pinkshoes wrote: »

Email the head teacher.

It is not pleasant having to walk young kids past a plume of smoke just to get through the school get for pick up. Vile.

I appreciate people like to smoke, but directly outside the school gate is not the place.

Let the head deal with it, and if they don't, then it speaks volumes!

I know many teachers that smoke, but smoking within view of the school is a big no-no! If anyone is that desparate for a lunch time smoke, they drive somewhere away from the school where no kids or parents will see them!

Everyday I cycle past a primary school that has a pub right opposite with tables outside where people sit openly consuming alcohol in full view of the kids - this seems very irresponsible of the pub in view of how impressionable young kids can be.

Person_one

building_with_lego wrote: »

Yes, on the pavement outside the school.

Its not pleasant if you're a non-smoker, but smoking is still legal on a public pavement so you really just have to let them be. Its not your job (or the school's) to try to police people's behaviour or habits in this way.

Some of them are probably using e-cigs anyway.

indiepanda

A lot of offices set up designated spots outside for smokers which usually aren't directly outside the front door - so my employer encourages people to go round the side so visiting clients don't have to walk through a gaggle of smokers, and they do this by providing bins round the side instead of out the front. My previous employer had a smokers shelter round the side of the building. So, the head might be able to do something about moving where the staff smoke.

As for members of the public outside the school, there's really nothing much that can be done about that, it's legal.

meer53

I don't think children will be too traumatised by seeing someone smoking outside a school. My Mum and Dad both smoked at home, in the house. I have never wanted to smoke and have never even tried a cigarette. People try too hard these days to protect children from everything, parents should explain the consequences of smoking and allow their children to make informed decisions. Trying to stop people smoking in public places is wrong, i think it's disgusting, but it's not illegal.

clint_S

boliston wrote: »

Is there any traffic passing the school outside?

If so consider flagging down drivers and asking them to be more considerate with their exhaust fumes near children in future.

I wonder if you'd have the same attitude if the problem was drunk alcoholics sat outside the school gates? Smoking isn't nice, and awful to pass people smoking as the smell is terrible, but it is currently legal to smoke outside schools, yet illegal to smoke in a car with a child. Just because something is legal doesn't mean it's right.

ska_lover

clint_S wrote: »

it is currently legal to smoke outside schools, yet illegal to smoke in a car with a child. Just because something is legal doesn't mean it's right.

Bit melodramatic. Huge difference between smoking in a confined space with a child who has no option to breathe it in, than smoking outside in a public space...

Stevie_Palimo

People do love to make a drama out of nothing and trying to tell adults what they can and cannot do, All I can say here is get a life and sort yourselves out as it is a free Country and smoking whilst not allowed within buildings, workplaces, cars and so on is still allowed on public highways.

If you dislike the smell that much step across the road as you would rather an adult smoke in the open than wait until they are in the confined space of a car only for the kid/kids to breath in the smoke.

ska_lover

clint_S wrote: »

I wonder if you'd have the same attitude if the problem was drunk alcoholics sat outside the school gates? .

Again, Melodramatic


You really cannot compare someone who is drunk, to someone who is smoking a cigarette.


It IS actually illegal to drink in public spaces. Drink can change a persons judgment hence fights in nightclubs etc