We were excited to finally open our windows. After one solid week of RVing in the rain, the skies cleared. All day we looked forward to nighttime – sleeping with the fresh air breezing through our open bedroom windows. But then – smoke! And not from a campfire this time! Is that cigar we smell? Are cigars even allowed in the campground?
Cigars in campgrounds
Our new RVing neighbor and his buddies decided to light up some cigars. Yep, cigars! At 12 o’clock midnight. Maybe they didn’t realize that the wonderfully fresh breeze was blowing their foul cigar air directly into our bedroom windows. Or maybe they didn’t consider the cigar smell to be bad at all. Not wanting to cause a problem, we reluctantly closed our windows.
The following day we decided to inquire how long our neighbors planned to camp, and if they had any more “stogie nights” planned. The answers were not what we’d hoped: Two weeks and a full box of Cuban specials. Ugh! What to do? With the CG filled with RVs we couldn’t request a different site.
We decided that we had to let “Mr. Stogie” know that the cigar smoke near us in the campground bothered us. We tactfully suggested that maybe he and his smoking buddies might take advantage of the picnic tables in the CG’s outdoor pavilion or enjoy relaxing on the chairs beside the lake. Luckily, “Mr. Stogie” acknowledged his actions and apologized. We enjoyed fresh nighttime air for the four remaining nights of our stay. Hopefully the “Stogie Guys” enjoyed their vacation as well.
I share this story because everything could just as well have ended much differently. Imagine if my hubby had stormed over to the smoking neighbors (at midnight) and shouted about how terrible they were to ruin our camping experience. Or imagine if the next day we loudly complained to the CG owner, insisting that they refund our money or evict the “Stogie Guys” … or both! Instead, we approached them in a friendly and honest manner. We provided a few alternative solutions for smoking cigars in the campground, and the problem did not escalate.
To me, this is common courtesy or Communication 101:
- Choose an appropriate time to talk. Not when you’re tired, hungover, or simmering with anger.
- Approach in a friendly (non-aggressive) way.
- Be aware of your body language and your voice tone and volume.
- Try to settle disputes so that everybody wins.
How might the situation have changed if Mr. Stogie reacted to our approach with a self-righteous, “Mind your own business,” or “I paid for this campsite and I can do whatever the @%^# I want” attitude? Things may have escalated even more. If we hadn’t told our cigar-loving neighbors about the smoke irritation, they would not have known and perhaps bothered the next camper. Hubby and I may have cut our trip short and angrily left in a huff.
With more and more RVs squeezing into campgrounds during the summer season, you might find yourself in a tricky situation like ours. I hope you can settle potential problems quickly and easily. I hope you do it honestly and graciously, as well.
There are jerks everywhere. Many times, it turns out they aren’t jerks at all! Sometimes it turns out that (shocker!) I’m the jerk. I just don’t realize it unless someone tells me. (In a nice way, of course!)
##RVT1111
I enjoy a cigar, and understand that not everybody does (or can). If approached in this manner I’d be totally respectful. If approached late at night by someone ordering me to stop, I’d tell them to pound sand (unless it was for a medical reason, and you’d better be willing to prove it..)
Something about catching flies with honey and not vinegar…
Hopefully we are most all adults. Let’s act that way and solve problems, not create them.
But Tom B., part of what you say is let’s all be adults, but you are also saying only if you approach me in the correct manner…that I deem is the correct manner, will I be adult about it. Not saying you are right or wrong, just pointing out the inconsistency in your comment.
Let’s all be adults doesn’t mean you have to treat someone acting like a child as if they were an adult.
I too smoke cigars. I live on a houseboat and own an RV. I smoke cigars in both places, and always tell my neighbors to tell me if there is an issue. What I’ve found is that by addressing this up front, they become more considerate with things that might offend me like loud rap music…
This is what most smokers fail to grasp. I’m pretty sure I could think of *something* that would ruin their trip, too. It’s very commendable that you ask and understand this concept. Unfortunately, for medical reasons, I would have to say that any smoke would be a problem.
Do you think we carry around notes from doctors?
no, just a bunch of grudges by the look of it. Yeez, if this is such an issue, I would think you might better prepare yourself to be more flexible with locations plans, ie. boondocking or at least a state type campground with more open space between campers and make some plans to deal with smoke type issues like a filtration system. This sounds like everyone should cater to you…and by the way, non smoker.
As a smoker, I appreciate that this family tried to resolve the problem in a mature, respectful way. If I were approached like this, I would sincerely apologize and look for somewhere else to smoke that hopefully wouldn’t be bothersome. Unfortunately, many people don’t take this approach and those encounters never seem to end well.
thank you for being an understanding human being. Unfortunately, there seems to be an intolerant anti-smoking person who has posted numerous times in this article response area who might have been that person who was not so polite to speak to you in a respectful manner. By the way, I am a non smoker who would have had a civil discussion with you if the situation had occurred.
This poll is hard to answer. No as non-smokers, we wouldn’t want the cigar smoke flowing into our RV. I do recognize that we are in a shared space and things like sound, smells, light are impossible to contain within ‘our’ borders.
At the same time, I think many folks, no matter how friendly we might be, are cautious about saying anything remotely critical about what happens in somebody else’s space – even when it ‘invades’ our space. Even if we are open to non-defensive discussion should our neighbors have issues with something happening in our space, the reverse might not be true and none of us want to risk confrontation.
The fact is, interpersonal social skills are at an all time low. It is not that a larger than normal number of people mean to be selfish or mean, but they cannot see their behavior in a larger social context. Worse, such people tend to be more defensive because too many of their neighbors have the same problem.
I applaud your taking the risk Gail.
To the person complaining about cigar smoke. When you are cooking on a grill or enjoying a fire in the fire pit; do you make sure the smoke doesn’t venture into your neighbors campsite?
Right. Lotta sniveling. You’re outdoors. Jeez.
Thumbs up!
Except that it’s not just about the smoke – it’s about the smell. Almost everyone loves the smell of a campfire and grilled meat. Cigar and cigarette smoke are a whole ‘nother stink.
You’re not very good at making excuses.
Right! Good question. Bet they don’t.
We don’t do those things. No smoke. Period.
I have certainly seen cigarette butts littering a camp spot but never cigar. Vaping has also been a problem a couple of times for us as well as the smell of cheap pot. I thought any type of smoking was illegal in most public spaces in this country. My daughter has a lung condition and if she were with us we would certainly complain but you did the right thing and were fortunate to have a good outcome. However, private campgrounds which charge upwards of $40/night, need to make sure rules are followed no matter the time of night and their designated hosts need to have the “power” to kick anybody out not following said rules.
Saw folks get kicked out of a campground for playing rap music INSIDE their RV that annoyed their neighbors. Wouldn’t have thought a campground where pot smoke was evident wafting from more than 1 or 2 sites would be so strict but maybe it was sort of a “camping while black” offense.
Cigarette smoke and excess perfume bother me more than cigar smoke and pipe smoke. Need my asthma inhaler for cigarettes and perfume.
Strong cologne and perfume are worse than any type of smoke. Sitting in a restaurant, a movie theater or any enclosed space near someone wearing this stuff completely ruins the experience. When eating, everything tastes like the odor being emanated by these people. Some can be smelled yards away. We have actually asked to be moved to a different table in a restaurant.
I have only smoked a cigar 3 times in my life, that was when my children were born and only for a few minutes at a time. I guess I could’ve used just one cigar but they were born over a 10 yr period so that didn’t sound appealing. As a former smoker(now free for 42 years) I can see both sides of the issue. Back then smoking was a more accepted behavior than now. Since we camped in the Deep South it hasn’t been a problem as it’s too hot to sleep with windows open, and with DW only wanting to stay in resorts we are always connected to shore power or our generator providing electricity to our A/C. Years ago when I lived up north my first TT didn’t even have an awning, much less an A/C so windows were open all the time even during rain as long as it was coming straight down, but as I said smoking was expected back then, not now.
I don’t like the smell of cigar smoke and not everyone does, but this is a free country and for that reason we all have to tolerate things we don’t like. We all have an option. We can try to communicate with where the problem lies or walk away. If you are a camper there will be a lot of situations you’re going to run across and you’re going to have to learn different ways to deal with it. Camping isn’t always peas and carrots. Get use to it or stay home. Some people don’t have a choice. This is their way of life. Not everyone is going to be understanding.
Oh but you underestimate the power of revenge.
I do sit out at night, watch tv, have a bourbon and smoke a cigar. I do inform my neighbors, that I do this and if they have any issues with tv to loud or cigar smoke to let me know. But generally in bed by 9-9:30.
Informing your neighbors about smoke is not helpful at all.
Cigar smoke would be better than cigarette smoke. Yuck!! In such tight quarters, some of the things we enjoy (campfires, smoking habits, etc.) are bound to weave their way into our neighbors sites. No way to control the wind that carries it. We all just need to do our best to be respectful of the space of others as they probably paid just as much as we did to be there to relax and enjoy themselves. This particular situation was handled very well by both parties.
The one thing that we have to keep in mind is that there will always be a cigar man, a party neighbor, or one that leaves their decorative lighting on all night. We just have to remember that the next neighbor will most likely be a better, more considerate camper. Have a great and safe, 4th of July Weekend.
People don’t realize how far tobacco smoke carries, and can effect others.15 or so years ago, I was camping with a friend in the tent section at Zion NP. She began having an asthma issue, which rapidly got worse. A few sites away was group of cigar smokers enjoying their time – unfortunately we got the brunt of the smoke. I went to the camp host, who found us another site, so I got my friend there, set up the stove and a pot of water so she could do a steam treatment. I proceeded to move all our stuff – two tents, bikes, what-have-you. I almost went over to the cigar smokers and asked for help but I didn’t have the guts.
Meds are better today and her asthma better controlled, but it would still be an issue for both of us.We came perilously close to making a trip to an emergency room on that occasion.
BTW, campfire smoke is also an issue, I’m still waiting for someone to invent a dome so those who want a campfire can keep the smoke in their site; it’d work for tobacco smoke too.
Let me gander a guess. If you had a peanut allergy would you expect all the other camp sites to go peanut free? Just wondering..
I would expect the not to send shells into my site.
No need to be ugly about this. I just think people should consider what they do can effect others – and this was a very scary situation. We cope with wildfires smoke, campfire smoke, all sorts of stuff.
We try our best to keep our noise down so that it all stays in our site, by personal preference, we never have wood or charcoal fires – too many bans (with excellent reasons), too much mess, our outside lights are dim and subtle,
etc.
It sort of goes back too the old saying that your right to swing your arm ends before it hits my nose.
“people should consider what they do can effect others ” Just like you expecting them to conform to your wishes affects them. Hmmm.
Not if you stick your nose into a space where I was already swinging my arm. Obviously.
Dim and subtle lights?? I’m sure the cigar smokers excuses were at least as good as the ones you use.
Don’t swing your arm on my campsite. Problem solved.
The degree of inconsiderate behavior from commenters on this website is astounding.
The neighbor smoking his cigar has as much right to enjoy whatever activities that please him no different than if you sit around and knit all day with opera playing from your phone. If everything everyone around you bothers you, don’t camp, go out in public, avoid crowds, etc. Find a nice lonely piece of BLM land where there is no one around and sit and molt all day.
Yeah but someone knitting, does not emit an obnoxious odor that your neighbor has to smell. Cigars stink and you have to be pretty ignorant to subject another Camper to your cigar smell!
You never sat near Ralph’s grandma while she knitted!
Yet here you are trying to impose your will on fellow campers. Close your windows and turn on the AC. Easy peasy.
Where did I impose my will on anyone? I stated an opinion and as I recall, I am free to do so in the United States. I can’t stand cigar smoke and I know many people that feel the same. If a cigar smoker had any class, he would go to a community area where he wouldn’t be a mere few feet from someone’s camper. Did I say he shouldn’t be allowed? NO! He would have every right to smoke that cigar right on his own site. But my opinion, is my opinion! Get your facts straight before you comment!
That doesn’t work for smoke. And even if it did (it doesn’t) — we should be able to enjoy the outdoors without being made sick. I hope other campers who don’t like smoke will follow my lead and start leaving one star reviews for campgrounds that allow outdoor smoke of any kind.
You didn’t see the part about opera playing from the phone? May not be a smell. but to some people, it does stink. But seriously – you have to be pretty ignorant to subject another Camper to your music! If everything everyone around you bothers you, don’t camp, go out in public, avoid crowds, etc.
I love Google reviews. And I don’t like smoke. Deal with it
I hope you aren’t suggesting that everything bothers me? Because it doesn’t. I do not like cigar smoke but I would bite the bullet and put up with it knowing that soon I will have a different neighbor. One that has consideration for his neighbors around him. But my suggestion to you is, if loud music bothers you, get some ear plugs.
Funny you should say this….we had a neighbor that did just that..play opera music…and…sang along!
I put I don’t care, but a caveat would be, some cigars smell good but some others just plain stink
Regarding cigar smoke; change the survey and substitute campfire smoke for cigar smoke and see the results. I have never smelt cigar smoke in an RV park but plenty of campfire smoke. Our windows stay closed most of our stays.
Same here. Love a nice fire but not bad wood or inexperienced fire builders that douse 4 full logs with lighter fluid and throw a match on…wooof….incinerator flames…then smoke for 6 hours..ugh. Thought it was just us….glad to read your comment…we sit in AC when it’s 63 out because Johnny woodsman has a 24 hour a day smokey not fire going!
PS…there are parks that do not allow fires…except in the common area which is a gas fire. We love fire bans!
Same here. I will leave a one star review over smoke smell. It makes me sick so it’s not okay and I expect campground owners to control the smoke, by not allowing fires (or outdoor smokers).
My guess is, we are all bothered by something. I don’t like the smell of weed but unless someone is smoking it in my space, or directly infringing on my space, it is an acceptable part of our society now. More than anything tho, I dislike when a fellow RVer has a stinky rig. You know the guy, someone that has never used Thetford or flushed the black tank good. One so bad that it makes your eyes water. On the other hand, a good cigar no problem. Bad cigar still not really much a problem but in my experience, I have been parked next to a lot of cigar smokers, they are generally very considerate. They have stopped by and told me intended on lighting or having a cigar in advance of lighting it. Pretty respectful.
Be it cigar smoke, campfire smoke, barking dogs, loud music, screaming kids at play, generator noise, cackling around the campfire at 3 AM and many other irritations, RV camping and travel can come with some or all these annoyances. And if it became so bothersome to cause anger or confrontation, I might just sell my RV and stay home. Yet I have come to accept it comes with the territory of folks living and playing near each other.
Camping is about being outdoors, with smells, sounds, bugs, and sometimes other people. Complaining about smells and asking others to change their behavior becomes controlling. Staying home keeps us in control, going out requires flexibility and acceptance that we can’t control much of the world around us.
Very well put, Matt. Thanks!👍 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Agreed. complainers love to complain.
Excellent response!
Funny how if the stogie guys had refused then THEY are “self righteous,” but it’s not self righteous to ask them to be inconvenienced rather than deal with the fact that some people smoke.
What a horribly inconsiderate way to respond to something that actually causes illness — an immediate sick feeling — in many people. I can tell by the replies of several people on this site that being considerate isn’t one of your capabilities.
The difference is that the second hand cigar smoke causes health problems for everyone who has to smell it. Asking them to move does not impact the cancer risk that the cigar smokers are already accepting.
Agreed!
Nope. Camping requires everyone to be considerate of their neighbors or we can always play the escalation game. I’m pretty sure I could find something that would really bother you, to do on my campsite.
I’d tell them to close their windows… there are all kinds of smells and noise while camping, they need to put on their big boy pants and deal with it.
Great! If you have kids, then we will start cussing at the top of our lungs. Or play the loudest music. With a large loud fan blowing smoke back at you. Two can play these games.
“Hopefully the “Stogie Guys” enjoyed their vacation as well.” I’m pretty sure you didn’t care if they did or not.
Ah, but you don’t know Gail, do you, Conni? She absolutely would care if they enjoyed their vacation. She’s that kind of person. Have a good night. 🙂 Diane at RVtravel.com
I have to hand it to you Diane. You are nice to the most “not so nice” individuals in your responses. Enjoy the Holiday weekend and stay safe!
Thanks, Ed. I try. But there are still those commenters who bring out the “76-year-old sass” in me.🤣 But usually I can bite my tongue and try to play nice, i.e., not stoop to their level. Have a great day and a fantastic Fourth! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Thanks Diane. I hope people enjoy their wreaking weed/stogey/cigarrettes too. Shame if they don’t have any joy in their short little lives… 😉
Thanks, Wolfe. Long time no hear. I hope you and your family are well. Have a great day! 😀 –Diane
And I guess they didn’t care whether they ruined someone else’s vacation. It’s nice that they moved but the votes on this poll show that a high percentage of people would be very bothered. So it was rude for them to need to be asked. Don’t be loud, don’t smoke, and generally don’t be an annoying neighbor. We don’t bother anyone and we expect the same from others.
Who are you to tell people how to enjoy their vacation? It’s an RV campground. Not pristine wilderness. If a little smoke or noise annoys you, perhaps you would be better served in the backcountry.
Cynical and sarcastic statement from a true smoker. Smoking is an option, breathing isn’t!
I don’t smoke (never have) and haven’t any desire to take it up. However, I do enjoy the smells of pipes and cigars. Cigarette smoke does bother me, which is a bit odd. Both my maternal grandfather and father smoked. The former died before quitting and the latter quit about 60 years before he died. Perhaps the second-hand smoke I received as a child is the source of my dislike, distaste. Good way to address the situation without it escalating, Gail. Nice work! 🙂
camp fires bug me.
Me too. A lot. They are filled with carcinogens and make me feel really bad physically within minutes. I really wish campers and campgrounds would get with the health program.
There is a guy who comes to the dog park where I live that smokes a stogie and I follow him around…I love the smell of his cigars. Kind of reminds me of the pipe tobacco my dad smoked.
While I enjoy a rare cigar, what I find most offensive are campfires that are smoky or use bad wood. I also find the smell of charcoal lighter fluid offensive, especially when used to start a campfire. Screaming kids, crying babies, barking dogs. These are things we must deal with when we are among other people. Don’t like it, camp in the wilderness, away from people.
Only problem is you got to backpack if you want to camp in the wilderness. And at the current rate with the Forest Service 30×30 plan (more road closures) will eliminated opportunities that seniors and the physically challenge can access via FS roads.
Lol… i light my smokeless firepit with gasoline… instantly hot! Freaks people out but there is NO smoke at at any point.
Two older guys, I guess living together in an RV pulled in upwind of me at theGaudalupe Mountains NP campground a few weeks back, they fired up big black cigars and stunk me out of camp. The damned things seem to burn for an hour or more. I was so happy to see them leave the next day.
This is ridiculous elitism. Campfires much? I don’t know how many times that my neighbors have smoked me out with an ill-built fire or they are barbecuing and I get all their smoke. So what…it’s a public campground. I’m sure my campfires have smoked my neighbors out.
Wind sucks. You would think I was being a Karen if I reported my neighbors for having a campfire…in a campground. You know what sucks more is when your neighbors get all rowdy and drunk at a public campground way past 10:00. Those neighbors, that may be the only vacation they have in the whole year and they’re cutting loose and they deserve to. And yeah it may be the only vacation that you’ve had all year and you want to cut loose in a different way. I guess maybe you chose the wrong campground spot. And you guys are mad that you’re in a public campground next to your campfires and your neighbors are next to their campfires BUT, they are ALSO smoking cigars. Fresh air.How pretentious and fragile you are.
Said the people who probably had a yapping little dog with them. Suck it up folks. People are different.
What about weed smoking is it less annoying to u or is as bad as cigars
The good thing about smoking a joint is it done 5 to 10min cigars burn longer
oh how internet threads bring out the mean in some people. I say if you don’t like campfire smoke, stay at home. families and kids love campfires, s’mores and the good ol’ all american hot dogs. Tina, it seems the place for you is a very regulated RV park with no campfires. for my wife and I, we love the more rugged camp experience or even state parks where we can have a fire. But with that being said, we are still considerate as we have the smokeless solo stove and burn almond wood. It is a game changer as you don’t have to keep moving your chair around. And hey, If you can’t beat em, join em. I have met lots of awesome friends this way
Thank you for admitting sometimes the complainer is the jerk. I’m all for personal freedom but there are limits when you harm others.
My personal peeve is “Generator N*zis” who scream my 55db generator be shut down at 9:00:01pm when its 98*… and the generator often isn’t even running (mine runs a while from battery). Busy bodies go too far just grumbling.
If YOUR inverter genny is running in the middle of the night, i assume you have a medical need, but it doesn’t even occur to some people. Heck, if your genny is quieter than the AC it carries and you’re 300′ away, then you’ve made a courteous effort and i don’t even begrudge you just being comfortable. Park on top of me and then complain about my courtesies, we won’t be friends.
If you’re getting soooo many complaints about your generator that it’s actually bent you out of shape, it seems reasonable to assume many of those complaints are justified. If 98 degrees is more than you can handle, just stay home. Or get out of you giant metal box and enjoy the breeze.