If you saw a mom smoking a cigarette on the playground while at the park with your kids, would you say something to her? If not, what would you do?

I’ll be annoying for sure, but I wouldn’t say something, just leave.

I would and have done in the past.

In a public space, in open air? Not going to say anything. But I would tell my daughter to keep away and wouldn’t care if they heard me 🤷‍♀️

Our parks have no smoking signs. I probably wouldn't say anything but I'd keep my kids away

Maybe it's the New York in me lmao because girl no. Move from here with that because MY child isn't about to smoke that cigarette along with you

I’d say something & I can confirm it’s the New Yorker in me that would make me speak up

In a public park and open air I wouldn’t say anything. And as long as they aren’t blowing smoke right near the kids and not littering, I actually don’t see an issue here.

Obviously it would be the more polite thing to step outside of the playground boundaries, but for a single parent that might be hard to do safely and still watch their child.

Depends on my mood, if I’m feeling feisty I’d probably say something but at minimum I’d make passive aggressive comments to my son like “no no come play here away from the yucky smoke” so she could hear 😂

In the UK you are not supposed to smoke in public playgrounds as its illegal and not only do I hate the smell I certainly don’t want my child breathing that shit in so I would say something if they were standing next to my child or in a playground with kids smoking…

We would just leave

My mom smoked my whole childhood, and I was very aware that she shouldn't have been so from a child POV. I would have been sooo embarrassed if someone said something to my mom about it in public. It's a horrible addiction and it's painful enough for everyone involved

yeah no. There are literal babies running around. This isn't a national park, it's a small playground with no grass lmao. A single mom needing a cigarette needs to be considerate of the children who aren't hers that she's exposing that smoke to. Idk that was such a weird example

I'd ask her to move away or put it out. If she refused then we'd just leave the area because it's not worth the argument to me.

you'd be embarrassed by someone saying something to your mom but not the fact that she's smoking?

Like if nicotine is that serious and you can’t go to the park with your child without buy a vape pen instead atleast it’s not just lingering in the air like a cigarette does still not ideal but it’s better than what they are currently doing

Sorry, maybe I’m confused. I’m not a smoker so don’t have a ton of knowledge in this subject—but I do live in a city where people smoke everywhere outside and I’ve never been concerned about secondhand smoke unless I was in super close proximity to them (like within 10feet). Just not sure I’d police someone else’s behavior in a public space, unless it was directly harming my child. But if you think that the smoke was reaching the kids, I totally see your concern.

At the parks here there are signs that say no smoking so I absolutely would let her know "hey, there are children here. Pregnant people here. There are signs saying you can't smoke if you really need to then out of respect find a spot away from the children." Even if there wasnt a sign here id say that its disrespectful and remind her that children would be smoking that shit in the air like come on. If she refused then id grab my kid and we'd leave to a different part.

did you miss the part where she was standing near the monkey bars? The children were literally running around her lol

100%. I just said "hey can you not smoke around the kids" and pointed in the direction of my child who was staring at her from 3 ft away lol

I'm a native and can 100% say this is not a norm lol

I wouldn't say anything but I'd probably side eye. I can't STAND cigarettes 🤢

@Monét As I said it was already obvious to me as a child she shouldn't have been so yes it is embarrassing- all the time. But you saying you dont like them smoking isnt helpful to anyone in fact it will likely make them smoke more

just don't smoke around my kid man that's all lol

I promise you no one 'wants' to smoke around your child

it's not crack ya know lol

@Monét you're downplaying what an addiction is, and I think it's insensitive

I would just take my kid and play somewhere else

I would have an annoyed face and if that didn't work, I'd probably ask her not to smoke in the smoke-free child area. If that didn't work, I'd be so angry but I like to think I'd leave rather than argue in front of kids.

@Tabitha She can have an addiction but move 20 feet down so everyone's not subjected to her choices.

I would loudly exclaim how disgusting smoking is and how people who smoke around children are horrible and selfish. 💁🏻‍♀️

@Coffy 100%. My mom is a heavy smoker but takes her smoke breaks away from where people are downwind. It's not that hard to be considerate.

I definitely would and I wouldn’t be polite about it either!! I’ve done it to people smoking in kids car parking bays, and people who smoke standing right in front of a doorway they know people have to use (like grocery stores), and twice I’ve full blown screamed at men smoking in front of the hospital entrance, zero regrets

I wouldn't say anything, I hate any confrontation 🤣 I'd just steer clear and hope she puts it in the bin.

Depends on who I'd be talking to if I had to fear getting into a physical fight I'd rather not say anything 😄

If it’s a park/splash pad and we can smell it, I’m going to ask them to smoke somewhere else. We lived downtown for a while and there were many occasions when someone would light up right next to my boys while they were playing and I had to say something. Gag I hate that smell sm. Subject yourself to that nasty ass habit but you’re not going to force my kids to inhale it.

Probably not. Probably just make sure my kid doesn’t anywhere near her.

yes. If someone is right next to us and decides to light up, then yeah. I’m saying something. Then they’re making a conscious decision to be an ass hole

it’s quite unbelievable that your priority in this situation is the person ‘addicted’ to smoking cigarettes 🤣🤣 ‘downplaying their addiction’ hahaha, not the CHILDREN playing in an environment they should be playing in!

You do realise that a grown adult has the ability to smoke somewhere else right?!

I know me and how I am. I'm definitely speaking up. Don't go to a child friendly area and smoke, that's a big ass no for me.

@Fio You are choosing to be obtuse about this where I'm trying to bring empathy and nuance. Again, I will say that my perspective is that of the CHILD associated with the smoker. If I was in this exact scenario I would kindly say "hey would you mind putting out your cigarette" or I'd leave. Shaming a parent who smokes isn't going to help the situation, but it might make it worse for the child that's already in a tough spot.

ok well with all due respect my child is priority, not theirs. I never said I wouldn’t kindly tell them, I wouldn’t start row, but I would for sure tell them to put out their cigarette because it’s a children’s playground.

They should feel ashamed smoking around kids, end of.

I’m also the child of a smoker and I completely disagree with you. You are entitled to your opinion but it’s not the only opinion around.
They deserve to be shamed, it’s a disgusting habit that affects the health of their children and everyone else around them. It being hard to quit doesn’t make it any less horrible that they are subjecting other people to second and third hand smoke.
If your parent ever took it out on you that someone was rude to them about smoking then that’s abusive and I’m sorry that happened to you.

fr and addressing the smoking mother is less traumatizing than shooing your child away from the child of a smoker 🤷‍♀️

@Dana 🦅♥️🤍💙 it's odd behavior to assume someone has been abused, but thank you for your commentary in the dogpile. It's been noted.

note the “IF” mama. 👍🏽
I don’t think you’re being dogpiled on, it’s just people disagreeing with your opinion. You are entitled to your opinion and so it everyone else. I felt the need to add because of my similar experience as the child of a smoker.

Times were also soo different. My dad has smoked all my life and probably will die smoking lol and when we were younger he smoked in the house, in the car, etc., but he would never ever smoke in front of the kids today. There needs to be a little discretion honestly

I’d have a coughing a fit and maybe they’d get the hint

lol something tells me people who are inconsiderate don't respond to passive aggression

As a smoker I feel the need to comment, if I'm in a playground with my son i will go to one end where no kids are but where I can see my son as my son is autistic and has no fear of danger so I need to be able to see him but I dont stand close to any kids and smoke, but I do stay in the playground because if my son needs me I am where he can see me.
If any children come close to me I tell them nicely to play somewhere else as where I will stand will be no play equipment.