Having spent most of my life in this area, I remember a time when going to a local event be it private, community or a music festival was not synonymous with standing in a cloud of second hand smoke. By and large smokers would leave an area, have a cigarette and return to the group, but these courteous days seem to be over in Bellingen.

The last four or five events I have been to in Bellingen have had me and my kids leave smelling like we spent our time in the smoking section of some seedy bar. Smokers are now standing in food lines surrounded by families, puffing away; participating in kids activities smoking; sitting only a few metres away in large groups right next to food being served and dancing to music in front of stages while smoking both day and night.

I support an adults right to smoke if they want to – but please respect mine not to. Even conservative medical organisations contest that second hand smoke causes more frequent and severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome and that there is no safe level of exposure. Newer research is also highlighting the dangers of third hand smoke (the toxic and hard to remove residues left over on surfaces from smoking).

I ask that other non-smokers please speak up when smokers light up near you, food or kids and ask them to leave the area while imbibing. Let’s remind people that it is unacceptable.

I ask that smokers return to a more courteous behaviour.

I ask that event organisers make it clear where smoking is and isn’t acceptable, so event goers don’t have to take on groups unsupported.