OP,

I get that this is a drag, but it's their property, correct? What are you contemplating? Asking them to stop smoking? Asking them to smoke in their backyard? I'd be annoyed but send a strong counter message to your children and educate them about the risks and annoyances of smoking and accept that it's what your new neighbors do.

Smoking = smoking. Whereas drinking =/= getting drunk.

Also, in the big picture, it is not people's obligation to behave such that my children will never see people doing things that I don't want them to see.

If I don't want my children to see people being drunk (which, I don't), then I don't take them places where people are likely to be drunk. And, when they nonetheless occasionally do see people being drunk, I say, "When people are drunk, they do stupid things that they would not do if they were sober. This is why I don't like to get drunk, and why I hope that you will also choose not to get drunk, when you get older."

What I don't do is say, "Hey, world! You need to stop getting drunk because I don't want my children to see it!"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it bizarre that people are so touchy about their child seeing someone smoke, but no one seems to care about their kids seeing people drink at cookouts or holiday gatherings.

PP, how will you feel if your children drink alcohol in moderation when they are 21 or older? How will you feel if your children become smokers when they are 18 or older?

Because there are only two ways your post makes sense to me:

1. You are opposed to smoking and to drinking alcohol.
2. You are not opposed to smoking.

My concern is that there is a huge problem in this country with teenagers drinking alcohol in excess before they are 21. Don't be naive. And the "do as I say, not as I do" doesn't work for either smoking or drinking. The problem is that we're constantly sending the message to kids that drinking (even in excess) is fine so long as you don't drive. And drinking alcohol actually does have some really severe health consequences.

My point is that it seems shocking to me that even with all of the regulations restricting where people can smoke, all of the attention given to educating people on the dangers of smoking, et cetera, that someone would post a thread all paranoid about their kid seeing someone smoke, but no one gives a crap about other bad behaviors, like drinking, that are heavily advertized (unlike smoking) and done around kids ALL the time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it bizarre that people are so touchy about their child seeing someone smoke, but no one seems to care about their kids seeing people drink at cookouts or holiday gatherings.

PP, how will you feel if your children drink alcohol in moderation when they are 21 or older? How will you feel if your children become smokers when they are 18 or older?

Because there are only two ways your post makes sense to me:

1. You are opposed to smoking and to drinking alcohol.
2. You are not opposed to smoking.

Sorry, but this argument has never made any sense to me. I will drink an occasional glass of wine at at restaurant but I HATE cigarette smoke. How does that make me (or OP) not make sense? You CAN be against one an not the other.

OP, my kids see people standing outside office buildings smoking, and they ask. I tell them that it's sad that even in the rain and snow they need to smoke so bad they have to do that. Maybe someday they'll find a way to quit. My kids dont think smoking is cool at all. They feel sorry for people who started. Teach that lesson.

I hate being around drunks. Try going out to a restaurant on a friday or saturday night in d.c. and not be surrounded by drunk people. smokers aren't allowed to smoke indoors or in certain public spaces, so you can go to a restaurant and not have to deal with cigarette smoke.

You are crazy. You can't even smell it, can you? Your poor children are so sheltered they will crack when exposed to the real world. Just know it's your fault because you hid the world from them instead of teaching them about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it bizarre that people are so touchy about their child seeing someone smoke, but no one seems to care about their kids seeing people drink at cookouts or holiday gatherings.

PP, how will you feel if your children drink alcohol in moderation when they are 21 or older? How will you feel if your children become smokers when they are 18 or older?

Because there are only two ways your post makes sense to me:

1. You are opposed to smoking and to drinking alcohol.
2. You are not opposed to smoking.

I recognize the dangers of both smoking and alcohol. There is most definitely a problem in this country with people who drink entirely too much alcohol. And very little attention is ever given to the health dangers of alcohol.

The dangers of smoking are constantly advertized in public service announcements, to the point that people are upset if their kids even *see* someone smoke. But look at college campuses and the amount of binge drinking that goes on, and it's thought of as okay.

I'm not *opposed* to either activity. I want people to be well aware of the risks of both activities. And I don't think kids are getting the information that drinking (even moderate drinking done regularly) can do damage to the body.

I'm glad that smoking is NOT advertized on tv or in ads. But I feel like we're bombarded with alcohol ads, and no one seems to care about that.

I've been to events with children where adults are drinking heavily without any thought that there are children present and observing their behavior. And I think that is just as disturbing as having your kids see your neighbor smoke.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it bizarre that people are so touchy about their child seeing someone smoke, but no one seems to care about their kids seeing people drink at cookouts or holiday gatherings.

PP, how will you feel if your children drink alcohol in moderation when they are 21 or older? How will you feel if your children become smokers when they are 18 or older?

Because there are only two ways your post makes sense to me:

1. You are opposed to smoking and to drinking alcohol.
2. You are not opposed to smoking.

Sorry, but this argument has never made any sense to me. I will drink an occasional glass of wine at at restaurant but I HATE cigarette smoke. How does that make me (or OP) not make sense? You CAN be against one an not the other.

OP, my kids see people standing outside office buildings smoking, and they ask. I tell them that it's sad that even in the rain and snow they need to smoke so bad they have to do that. Maybe someday they'll find a way to quit. My kids dont think smoking is cool at all. They feel sorry for people who started. Teach that lesson.

OP, you moved from Philadelphia because there were too msny smokers and moved here? How did you determine there were fewer smokers in this area? T.R.O.L.L.

Anonymous wrote:I find it bizarre that people are so touchy about their child seeing someone smoke, but no one seems to care about their kids seeing people drink at cookouts or holiday gatherings.

PP, how will you feel if your children drink alcohol in moderation when they are 21 or older? How will you feel if your children become smokers when they are 18 or older?

Because there are only two ways your post makes sense to me:

1. You are opposed to smoking and to drinking alcohol.
2. You are not opposed to smoking.

Anonymous wrote:I find it bizarre that people are so touchy about their child seeing someone smoke, but no one seems to care about their kids seeing people drink at cookouts or holiday gatherings.

Yes, imagine not caring about your kids seeing people drink at cookouts or holiday gatherings!

Assuming it is not a troll post, WTF? Assuming single family homes, by the time the smoke gets to you, it will be diffuse enough to not be harmful. You neighbors may be killing them selves, but not you. And I am writing this as someone who has cancer possibly from childhood second hand smoke (mom smoked three packs a day).

I find it bizarre that people are so touchy about their child seeing someone smoke, but no one seems to care about their kids seeing people drink at cookouts or holiday gatherings.

I agree. Sounds like a troll post. Nobody would be this nuts.

This can't be real, OP. no same person would ever think like you. You need to go to a therapist.

OP you are bat shit crazy. I hate smoke too but you are taking it over the top. Of course you can take your children inside, you can talk to them about why smoking is bad, but it is still legal and you have zero right to tell these people what to do on their property. You can always just sell your house and move. For the record I think that would be stupid, but somehow I don't see this ending well for you.