People who smell like smoke in the workplace

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#1713815 1-Feb-2017 11:13

freitasm:

It seems the HR folks at my company are actually hardcore, not the wussies you see around then. Good on them.

I'll suggest to SWMBO that she get her HR dept to poach yours then... Oh wait.

gsr

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#1713820 1-Feb-2017 11:20

I think this is more interesting than a BO issue. I think it might be worth trying to explain to this senior person that the social norms regarding smoking have changed a lot, and it (the smell) is much more noticeable/distracting when there is a smoker in the office who does not do anything about the smell.

networkn

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#1713821 1-Feb-2017 11:22

gsr:

I think this is more interesting than a BO issue. I think it might be worth trying to explain to this senior person that the social norms regarding smoking have changed a lot, and it (the smell) is much more noticeable/distracting when there is a smoker in the office who does not do anything about the smell.

Most people would find that patronising I'd imagine.

I'd imagine it better for HR to sit down with the person and say some complaints had been made about the lingering smell in the office after a smoke break and could they be aware of it, and take steps to mitigate it.

Having said that, deodorant on top of fresh cigarette may not make it better.

networkn

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#1713836 1-Feb-2017 11:30

On another note OP, what would you have this person do, to mitigate your discomfort? (realistically).

MadEngineer

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#1713837 1-Feb-2017 11:32

"Hey, ya know, if I ever smell bad could you be sure to let me know? Cause I'd hate to offend anyone if I had smelly feet and I'd actually appreciate it if you told me out right. Now would you be happy for me to return the favour ...?"

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

timmmay

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#1713838 1-Feb-2017 11:34

networkn:

On another note OP, what would you have this person do, to mitigate your discomfort? (realistically).

I've noticed that many smokers tend to exhale their last breath of smoke as they walk in a building entrance. Simply staying outside for a minute, especially in a breeze, could significantly reduce the smell they bring in. Consideration of clothing worn could also make a small difference.

It might also encourage them to smoke less, or change the timing of when they smoke so as to lessen the impact on others.

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Fred99

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#1713839 1-Feb-2017 11:34

MadEngineer: "Hey, ya know, if I ever smell bad could you be sure to let me know? Cause I'd hate to offend anyone if I had smelly feet and I'd actually appreciate it if you told me out right. Now would you be happy for me to return the favour ...?"

Chances are you smell bad.

timmmay

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#1713840 1-Feb-2017 11:34

MadEngineer: "Hey, ya know, if I ever smell bad could you be sure to let me know? Cause I'd hate to offend anyone if I had smelly feet and I'd actually appreciate it if you told me out right. Now would you be happy for me to return the favour ...?"

That's actually valid - I think any reasonable, responsible person would like to know if they're impacting others in a negative way.

networkn

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#1713843 1-Feb-2017 11:41

timmmay:

networkn:

On another note OP, what would you have this person do, to mitigate your discomfort? (realistically).

I've noticed that many smokers tend to exhale their last breath of smoke as they walk in a building entrance. Simply staying outside for a minute, especially in a breeze, could significantly reduce the smell they bring in. Consideration of clothing worn could also make a small difference.

It might also encourage them to smoke less, or change the timing of when they smoke so as to lessen the impact on others.

It's interesting. I was initially very supportive of the ban of smoking in bars and restaurants, not that I spent a lot of time in bars and clubs anyway, however, I have subsequently come to realize it's made things worse for me, since if a place was a smoking place I had a choice to visit it and be exposed, whereas now those people including workers at those establishments, smoke on the footpath, where it's much more difficult to avoid.

Personally I'd prefer they just ban them outright.

MikeAqua

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#1713854 1-Feb-2017 12:06

I feel your pain OP. I have a really acute sense of smell and I notice all this stuff too.

Post cigarette smell is in the same category as BO, garlic, farting, stinky shoes ... just one of the cons of sharing an office with bunch of other people.

Something I have observed is female smokers in our building do not smell after a cigarette break, as much as males do. I've always wondered why that is. Milder brands?

Mike

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#1713866 1-Feb-2017 12:24

I used to smoke - now I vape #vapenation...

I was always very conscious about the smell and the smell was the main reason why I quit - it is impossible to avoid but also quitting is incredibly difficult also especially for those who have been smoking for years and years. Unless if you've personally gone through quitting I'd suggest that you hold off on the comments related to banning etc. You could go the other route with him of which I've been doing:

1) Get a bunch of business cards from suppliers of vaping product providers - The Vaping Kiwi and Shellys will be more than happy to give you some.
2) Suggest smokers who annoy you with the smell to switch to vaping - this is how the conversation goes:

"Hey so I see you're smoking? That must cost you a truckload. You ever considered vaping? These two providers are very good. I'd suggest you buying a starter kit from The Vaping Kiwi and grabbing some 12mg liquid from Shellys (ask for it in the comments). Some of my friends have switched and they're loving it and think you will too and if you want to quit just cut down the nicotine in each order of eliquid and you won't get any withdrawals" (basically you're also causing a placebo to happen here).

Now the thing is unless if you vape yourself it is pretty hard to convert smokers but once they do switch you'll soon notice that they don't smell like smoke at all and like a regular human. It is much much better than smoking and also far cheaper (starter kits cost anywhere from $30 to $50 and liquid is cheap as chips). It is a different approach from just asking him to quit outright especially since telling him to do that would give you a resound "f off". All smokers know they would be better off without it so don't have to be reminded however with vaping now becoming quite popular (I've personally been doing it for years) it could be a great option for him.

MikeAqua: Something I have observed is female smokers in our building do not smell after a cigarette break, as much as males do. I've always wondered why that is. Milder brands?

It is because they normally spray themselves before entering inside and hold a conversation or smoke slower - male smokers will smoke their ciggie quickly taking bigger drags.

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tstone

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#1713883 1-Feb-2017 12:45

timmmay:

BurningBeard:

Bertrand Russel (philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, writer, social critic, political activist and Nobel laureate) smoked like a chimney and he isn't exactly a dullard.

Actually the single most smartest, clued-up person I've ever known is himself a walking ash tray.

All generalisations are false.

Oh the irony......