Smoking nearly ruined our outback trip

Derek Barnes · Senior Member

Smoking nearly ruined our outback trip

Whenarewethere · Guru

At least you don't have to sell property to move.

At the other end of our block of units is a chain smoker & when their relatives arrives there in a conga line of chain smokers.

Depending on the prevailing wind we cop it & have to close windows & doors, which I have added extra sealing which still leaks.

There is another person in the area, not our block, who smokes but I haven't been able to locate that person.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Hi Derek,
You say your airconditioner is too noisy - is that to you or, the neighbours?
Most rooftop a/c throw the noise up - mine is in the wall with the compressor under my bed. Noisy, yes but in your situation, I'd run it & if anything was said I'd state that I appreciate clean cool air.

Do you have a 240v or 12v fan that you could run near a clear air window? The Sirocco fans are quiet, are light on power consumption. I bought mine when RTM had a special run on them. Prior to that we've used a 240vac fan (quiet) & various 12v fans as well.

Perhaps caravan parks should have have smoking/non-smokers' areas(?)

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Derek, the worst place I've seen for smokers was in Ottawa in Canada in 2012. We spent Christmas there & weren't disappointed in the snow, ice scenes we saw.
What upset me was the great habit that Canadian smokers had. Not only the puffing in other people's faces but the dropping of their used butts on the ground! At a bus stop, you had to watch where you stood or you risked slipping on hundreds of butts, as well as the ice. And when it rained, all of these butts were flushed into the Ottawa River just down the end of the street!

Mobi Condo · Guru

Man Oh Man!
Never had to contend with that one before!

How horrible, rude, unhealthy, disrespectful and I had better stop before I start to get really annoyed and write something untoward.

Was there no way of asking for a re-siting and for the reason you state?

I would have been tempted to be up early with lots of noise, stay up late with heaps of Faux coughing, maybe even really loud music at the awkward times as well.
Come to think of that maybe even a hint to suggest you were wondering if you had caught COVID from the smoke.

Sorry you had to deal with stuff like that!

rgren2 · Guru

Smokers suck. (

the rocket · Guru

Just wondering if you were in a caravan park or free camping. In 6 years of full time travel we have not experienced this. You got the wrong end of the travelling stick First up. Disgraceful and disrespectful of them to say the least. I would not have been able to help myself. I would have been coughing and spluttering to make them wonder if i had covid and maybe they would have thought it would b in there best interest to move. Sorry u had to experience this.

Mike Harding · Guru

Oh dear... so:

No smokers.

No generators.

No camp fires.

No music.

No dogs.

No...?

Possum3 · Guru

rgren2 wrote:
Smokers suck. (

Isn't that the whole idea?

Whenarewethere · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
At least you don't have to sell property to move.
At the other end of our block of units is a chain smoker & when their relatives arrives there in a conga line of chain smokers.
Depending on the prevailing wind we cop it & have to close windows & doors, which I have added extra sealing which still leaks.
There is another person in the area, not our block, who smokes but I haven't been able to locate that person.

I forgot to note that they have their grandchildren, since birth, now a few years old, in their unit breathing all the smoke!

rgren2 · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
rgren2 wrote:
Smokers suck. (
Isn't that the whole idea?

Its what I told the kids when I busted them smoking. (Retired teacher).

Whenarewethere · Guru

Years ago I had a new bathroom installed. They were cutting with a grinder, thick layers of dust, no dust control of any description. I said if you don't wear a mask you will get silicosis.

The workers said, the cigarette is filtering out the dust!

I gave them masks & said if they don't wear them I will get someone else.

Derek Barnes · Senior Member

Warren-Pat, Our AC is very quiet on the outside so it would not disturb anyone else but its too drying inside so I wake up very thirsty. Your idea about a smoking zone is good!

Mike, I don't want to stop all smokers, dogs, kids, music, etc., but I think everything in moderation. Other caravaners shouldn't be disturbing others all night long. Would you want to hear a dog barking all day and night? I haven't minded the occasional smoke smell wafting into the caravan at other caravan parks. It is only the constant chain smoking which disturbed us this time.

yobarr · Guru

rgren2 wrote:
Possum3 wrote:
rgren2 wrote:
Smokers suck. (
Isn't that the whole idea?
Its what I told the kids when I busted them smoking. (Retired teacher).

If people needed an IQ above 27 to purchase cigarettes,and smoke them,perhaps there would be few smokers? Cheers

dogbox · Guru

Mobi Condo wrote:

Man Oh Man!

Never had to contend with that one before!

How horrible, rude, unhealthy, disrespectful and I had better stop before I start to get really annoyed and write something untoward.

Was there no way of asking for a re-siting and for the reason you state?

I would have been tempted to be up early with lots of noise, stay up late with heaps of Faux coughing, maybe even really loud music at the awkward times as well.

Come to think of that maybe even a hint to suggest you were wondering if you had caught COVID from the smoke.

Sorry you had to deal with stuff like that!

would your revenge make you as bad or worse then them, to the people up wind ? one of the nice things about living in a caravan is you can always move if you don't like the neighbors
unfortunately smoking is still legal even if it is restricted remember when people smoked in planes ,trains, movies and even MacDonald 's had ashtrays on the tables aren't we lucky most of the smokers have died out an getting fewer all the time

-- Edited by dogbox on Thursday 5th of November 2020 05:44:44 PM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I can't be around any sort of smoke for health reasons so have to avoid it as much as possible. I have also found many very inconsiderate people smoking close by that can cause problems for me but have to cope best I can. I have spoken to a few over the time, only to cop a mouth full, not smoke, so just don't bother now. I don't see why I should have to move either. I must say, I find most people good wherever I am so I spose I shouldn't complain.

It's not just smoke but noise a lot are inconsiderate about to. The usual thing I spose, the minority spoiling it for the majority.

Then again, maybe I'm just a grumpy old man. Bugga hey.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

Mobi Condo · Guru

Howdy Dog Box, you are absolutely spot on correct here - " would your revenge make you as bad or worse then them, " in fact I would be nastier due to it being deliberate, planned, conscious actions.

I would not really do such, due to the folks up wind being annoyed by me, but I do have FUN thinking about it.

In reality we would simply move on in a free camp, but would ask for a new site in a caravan park.

We have other means of annoying people, such as "Campers Breakfast Revenge" which is silently get up at crack of dawn, and begin cooking bacon and eggs out side on a BBQ as near to the bothersome folks rig as we could. Of course we would offer them some as they peered out of their van to see what was going on. He! He! He!

Who was it said, "Life was not meant to be easy my son, but take heart it can be delightful." or words to that effect.

orid · Senior Member

Mike Harding wrote:
Oh dear... so:
No smokers.
No generators.
No camp fires.
No music.
No dogs.
No...?

sex lol ha ha especially if your suspension squeaks

yobarr · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
Oh dear... so:
No smokers.
No generators.
No camp fires.
No music.
No dogs.
No...? (Brains?)

And simply no consideration for others who simply are trying to enjoy their camping experience. "Stuff you,I'm OK"

dogbox · Guru

you could add the guy that idles his old smokey diesel for half an hour to warm it up , so he can get away early to drive 100 up the road to the next camp

-- Edited by dogbox on Thursday 5th of November 2020 07:30:29 PM

vince56 · Senior Member

I don't smoke but I must say that we are becoming soooooo intolerant nowadays, for all who complain about smokers, how's,
your generator?
your loud music?
your parking right next to another van when you don't need to?
your huge over the top fire?
your loud exhaust on the tug?
your screaming kids?
your loud chatting late at night?
your treatment of facilities?
your chainsaw?
your early morning shuffling around the van?
your leaving the site early, loudly!?

It goes on, we all have our issues........

yobarr · Guru

vince56 wrote:
Deleted.

-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 5th of November 2020 08:09:14 PM

montie · Guru

I think we must somehow learn to live with each other.
I am an ex smoker of 25 years ago but I accept that some people still smoke cigarettes and I respect their right to do so.
Last I heard it's not illegal.

-- Edited by montie on Friday 6th of November 2020 06:57:45 AM

blaze · Guru

I am a smoker, I know it will kill me. I dont blow it in your face but if I am outside let me enjoy my fag, if you are offended move away.
If I meet new people, I dont smoke
So if I am pissing you off come and talk to me, you most likely have habits that offend me
cheers
blaze

bgt · Guru

I've just spent almost a week in hospital with severe migraine. Smoke and noise are 2 triggers. I don't expect folks to stop their smoking or loud noise just for me. But some consideration would be appreciated. My solution is to move on. I just ask "if you could be me for just one migraine you may think differently".

orid · Senior Member

there is absolutely no reason to smoke near other peoples vans ,

there is absolutely no reason to light campfires ,gas stoves have been invented!

And Yes I'm an ex smoker ! 40 years ago

My God I used to smoke in the house, the car, around my kids ,still dont make it a good idea, I was an ignorant idiot.

There is absolutely no reason for loud music ,

Dont we go bush to enjoy , the quite, the clean fresh air,

Regards Orid

Here we go again happy as can be ,all good friends and jolly good smoke and noise free.

-- Edited by orid on Saturday 7th of November 2020 12:41:14 PM

darjak · Senior Member

Totally agree with Montie as I am an ex smoker.
I have learned to live with the smell of smoke.

But lets turn the tables my downfall is perfume of any sort.
Why would people spray their underarms with smelly aluminium
just as toxic as cigarettes.

Phillipn · Guru

blaze wrote:
I am a smoker, I know it will kill me. I dont blow it in your face but if I am outside let me enjoy my fag, if you are offended move away.
If I meet new people, I dont smoke
So if I am pissing you off come and talk to me, you most likely have habits that offend me
cheers
blaze

I like a beers or two, the resudue of drinking is urine. I bet the smokers would be pissed off if they were sprayed with urine. cry biggrin

beiffe · Guru

Did not do any of them as I was a free camper and always parked away from others.

I never left a site before 10:00 as someone might pull up that you wish to meet or talk to. No generator, no talking as I live on my own.

I have have had people come and park REAL close often but if you are quick enough you go inside and you get your bottle of water with the right amount of orange cordial and then throw outside around your camps site and explain how much better an empty bladder feels. Most times they seem to remember they wanted to park somewhere else.

beiffe · Guru

Sorry posted twice for some reason

-- Edited by beiffe on Friday 13th of November 2020 01:14:55 PM