inIrresponsible Smokers

I think you're overreacting. Yes, it's appropriate to have a non-smoking campus, and to remind someone who isn't following the rules what the rules are, but cool it with the histrionics. It makes you sound like Chicken Little.

The stuff coming out of the tailpipes of the cars waiting in line is much more hazardous than cigarette smoke. If a "faint whiff of smoke" is going to do in a medically fragile child, then they probably should be on a respirator mask and not breathing the exhaust-laden fumes of the pickup line.

I am a former smoker and I think you handled it well. It would bother me if someone was smoking at my daughter’s school and they are not special needs. I try not to give smokers a hard time I completely understand the addiction and I think if you are just polite and ask they will usually put it out.

I think you did the right thing - I am a non-smoker and can't be around it because I have asthma...I know that smoking is an addiction and that it can be difficult to quit, but I feel that my children and I have the right to breathe in clean air - I HATE being able to smell cigarette smoke in my car or having to walk past someone smoking to get into a restaurant...I think that there are ignorant people everywhere you go - smokers or not! I don't know if I would have said something because I tend to be non-confrontational, but if I was there I would have been thankful that you did say something.
As to the person who said you overreacted - I think they are wrong...we have to stand up for our children because they can't do it for themselves...cigarette smoke can cause cancer - YES, secondhand smoking does, and it's just been proven that there is a third-hand smoking cancer as well...my grandmother and uncle both had cancers caused from secondhand smoke...I lived in a house when I was young where my grandfather and mother smoked and I had bronchitis all the time because of it...so when it comes to making sure our children's safety is the top priority, I think you did the right thing. (yes, the exhaust fumes are dangerous too...however, they don't set off asthma attacks like cigarette smoke does).

My first baby was a NICU baby and he is still the kid that goes into asthmatic fits when around smoke.

I have been known to lie and say "excuse me, I'm so and so and I work in the admin office. I'm afraid we don't allow smoking on campus or in the surrounding parking lots due to x,y,z reasons. I'm going to have to ask you to put it out."

Put nicely, 99% of the time, there is no issue or problem. Of course, there is the rare 1% that says, "Really? I work here too!" to which I reply, "oh good! Then you know the rules already. Should I have a talk with the principal about why you can't follow simple instructions?"

I agree that it was inappropriate of the person to smoke, it would have irked me, and it was very appropriate you said something. But it's sounds like you overstated your case. Merideth is right. The exhaust from the tailpipes would be worse, especially for diesel vehicles. And parents seem to idle a lot when picking up/dropping off kids (see note at bottom why this is bad).

Are there more asthmatic kiddos on special needs campuses than regular school campuses? I can only think of asthmatic kiddos who might be more threatened by smoke, and I think asthmatic kids are not considered "special needs". I'm unaware of how other special needs kiddos would be particularly sensitive (or more delicate in your words) to a whiff of smoke (or tailpipe exhaust for that matter). And I'm not being facetious. I am truly unaware of why children on a Special Needs campus would be more sensitive to air pollutants. I'm happy to learn otherwise, but please withhold the invective.

Somewhat off topic but informative regarding air pollution:
For those who are interested in vehicular pollution, cars emit greater amounts of pollutants while idling than when moving. When conducting traffic air quality studies, the areas of focus are signalized intersections near where the cars are stopped/idling. It's not because the cars are stationary, but because the vehicles emit much larger quantities of pollutants when idling or traveling at very slow speeds. Idling vehicles really do pollute. Unless it's diesel, the primary pollutant is carbon monoxide, which you can't smell.

And, if you're still with me... For those of you who live in areas where there are a lot of wood-burning stoves (or simply a lot of folks who like to have a wood fire in the fireplace), those are the all-time worst air pollution offenders. Generally worse than vehicles and industry, with a bunch of small particulate matter.

DITTO ERICA! I really wanted to get nasty to Merideth, but I wont. Second hand is just as dangerous in the long run as standing next to a tail pipe in an enclosed room. Different damage, but damage all the same.
I don't have the balls in person to confront someone and I would have applauded you if I saw you talk to the idiot.

I thought you were going to say that someone lit up on campus.
Was this in the drop off lane, or in the parking lot?

I think you overreacted. I think it wasn't your place to say something. Someone smoking in the parking lot, essentially, is different that someone blowing smoke in a kid's face in front of the classroom. Let's be realistic, I don't think anyone was affected by that smoke. I don't necessarily believe that all people know not to smoke in a school parking lot, because, well, it's a parking lot & not near classrooms.

I appreciate your passion, but since you are so personally tied to the special needs life, you may be a little hypersensitive & overly emotional about this particular situation. How is a kid with ADHD going to badly effected by smoke from 10 feet away? If a kid is THAT sick, he probably isn't going to a regular school.

You did fine.
;)
I see no problem with what you did.

As a smoker myself, I would have done the same thing. <grin> As you, that is.

I probably would have said something. And I'm a smoker.

Addiction is a powerful thing.

Good for you for speaking up! I wish more people did! (I have asthma as do both of my kids - really wish I could keep smokers away, wherever we are).

I am a smoker- not in my house not around my kids or any other kids my own personal rule-
I would have done the same thing. I have been known to say things to parents smoking on the football field in front of a school absolutely you did the right thing!

I don't know if I would have said something to her myself, however, I probably would have said something to the Admin staff asking them to advise the smoker to go somewhere else.

Our school campus is a non-smoking campus. Smoking is allowed in the parking lot.

From Kindergarten through sixth grade - I have not seen any smokers smoke on the campus grounds - only in the parking lot.

There are rude people everywhere! I would've told the smoker that smoking on the campus is not permitted and asked them to move to a smoking area.

You are more aggressive that I would have been - which is a good thing. I would probably have reported it to the school, but not confronted the person directly. If I were you, I'd still report it to the school. I think you did the right thing.

I think you did a great job!

I think you handled it responsibly. All of the schools in Maryland are no smoking campuses...not even in the parking lot. Regardless, it is a bad habit to teach our children and I don't get why that person couldn't have waited a few more minutes to satisfy their craving. My bad thing is diet coke and I had to wait hours today for one! So it can be done!! What a fool you had to encounter today!