Problem with Smoker

helimachoptor

Guys since Monday I a new guy has been sitting beside me and he stinks of smoke.

Every hour like clockwork he goes out puffs away comes back in and stinks and to be honest I'm getting might sick of it.

Can I get him to move as he's fouling my air with the smell of his cancer stick? I dont want to move as I like my seat

GoneShootin

Get one of those "ambipur" or whatever their called scented air despensers and land it on your desk. They can be set to puff out scented air at regular intervals.

galah

In my previous job, we had the same problem, but with added smell of booze and unwashed Aran jumpers. We had to put up air deodorisers (those plug-in types) - in the end, we had to talk to management because it was absolutely disgusting, but nothing ever came from that (I know the manager took the complaint seriously and talked to your man, but he just ignored it. He quit eventually.)

derek27

I don't know... how come he's able to go puffing every hour... most jobs would give you a smoking break no more than once for every 2 hours of solid work. Ask your boss or supervisor to move him to a location adjacent to other smokers. I can imagine how you feel... the stench of tobacco off someones breath just after smoking can be nauseating.

Wagon

Well, im not sure if there's much you can do. Saying a chap smells bad can be classed as discrimination or defamation of character (or something incomprehensible like that with thanks to out glorious legal system!) so you're bosses hands are tied. You could ask him politely to cut down on them, but unless he's a nice chap this ain't gonna work. Just get air fresheners.

hunnymonster

I'm sorry I don't have a useful solution to add but just wanted to say that I feel for you. working beside someone like that would be my worst nightmare. Are there even any windows you could open to clear the air? Maybe use vicks under your nostrils (when I worked in a lab we sometimes did this for very smelly situations). It seems unfair you have to suffer because of his behaviour but as someone said the anti-discrimination laws are there!

tHE vAGGABOND

say you have Asama and he is triggering it - and get moved away...

tricky D

Wagon wrote: »

Well, im not sure if there's much you can do. Saying a chap smells bad can be classed as discrimination or defamation of character (or something incomprehensible like that with thanks to out glorious legal system!) so you're bosses hands are tied.

That's just not correct at all, rubbish actually. Discrimination is based on religion, race, sexuality, age an a few other things, but definitely not smell. Smokers are already discriminated against, by law, we have to smoke outside (quite right too). Defamation only occurs if the allegation is not true, so doesn't apply here.

Talk to him first, then the boss.

helimachoptor

I had childhood asthma, so i might use that.

thanks for the advice guys.

StickyMcGinty

also, as a temporary fix get some Olbas Oil inhalent for yourself



you wont smell him anymore, plus you get the added benefit of annoying him with the olbas smell.

hunnymonster

I don't think the OP is challenging the smokers smoking outside, the problem is that (s)he takes the nasty smell (and believe me it is a nasty smell!) back inside.

seamus

disgruntledgoat wrote: »

Before I continue, yes I smoke, and its seems that now we have a 'SMOKE FREE WORK ENVIRONMENT' you have no right to challenge an employees right to smoke outside. No matter how much it stinks, smells, or affects your imaginary asthma. I bet helimachopter is the kind of person who, when on a night out, frequents the smoking area and complains about the smoke, waving their hands about as to clear the air- or even has the sly one "because they are drunk" (you know the people I’m talking about!!!). Just stop it already. You do not impress anyone. Before the smoking ban we had a problem I agree, but ever since then and until tobacco is made an illegal substance we will have fools clogging up these pages with ridiculous comments

You're aware that when you go out for a smoke, you come back in smelling like a hoor's ringpiece?

Regardless of your annoyance about non-smokers, people who smoke absolutely reek straight after a smoke, and having to deal with one is as bad as having to talk to someone with severe B.O. or bad breath.

A bit of consideration would help - stick on some deodorant or hang around outside for an extra five minutes to let the smell dissipate.

helimachoptor

disgruntledgoat wrote: »

[FONT=&quot]Before I continue, yes I smoke, and its seems that now we have a 'SMOKE FREE WORK ENVIRONMENT' you have no right to challenge an employees right to smoke outside. No matter how much it stinks, smells, or affects your imaginary asthma. I bet helimachopter is the kind of person who, when on a night out, frequents the smoking area and complains about the smoke, waving their hands about as to clear the air- or even has the sly one "because they are drunk" (you know the people I’m talking about!!!). Just stop it already. You do not impress anyone. Before the smoking ban we had a problem I agree, but ever since then and until tobacco is made an illegal substance we will have fools clogging up these pages with ridiculous comments[/FONT]

My good goat your a moany arse! No I dont smoke, I have never smoked apart from once trying it and realising that it is indeed rotten! Nope don't go to smoking areas as they are pretty horrible... I am not trying to impress anyone, I dont want to breather in rotten cigarette smells while trying to work! The only ridiculous comment is yours.

hunnymonster wrote: »

I don't think the OP is challenging the smokers smoking outside, the problem is that (s)he takes the nasty smell (and believe me it is a nasty smell!) back inside.

QFT!

disgruntledgoat wrote: »

'Hoors Ringpiece' - I'd never blow smoke up someones arse unless i had a length of hose, You've got to realise that people stuck in a ****ty office job for 40 hours a week will find the smallest thing to complain about. You cant stop smokers - we'll leave that job to the cancer or heart disease - so i'm afraid for now its put up or shut up.

Actually I work for 37.5 standard hours though usually I'm here for 50 and strangely enough I love my job. Put up what??

Well at lunch it smelled like this guy poured liquid tobacco on himself set himself on fire and smoke all of the liquid tobacco....

I asked him to move, he as a mature person understood my objections to his stench and moved. I sing at work if he asked me to stop I would.

Nice guy btw.

DublinWriter

helimachoptor wrote: »

I had childhood asthma, so i might use that.

Don't think so, my gf has asthma, and she smokes. She tells me the two conditions are unrelated.

helimachoptor

From wiki

Environmental tobacco smoke, especially maternal cigarette smoking, is associated with high risk of asthma prevalence and asthma morbidity, wheeze, and respiratory infections

They are not related as in smoking doesn't give you asthma but lets say it doesn't have a good effect on it!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthma

Maybe one of the med heads might drop by to further enlighten us.

dazberry

I've had the same problem in work with a guy that I was sitting beside. I should state that its not all smokers, there are some (the aforementioned for example) that would cause me to physically cringe due to the smell.

Other smokers that I've sat beside haven't bothered me - ok, you may smell it and a minute later its gone - its no worse than coffee breath (I'm allergic to caffine so never got with the coffee thing).

In fact I am an ex-smoker (3+ years now) so I can't throw the first stone and although I'll never smoke again I would make it my business not to get on someones case about it - the key to giving up is getting your mind into it - people whining at you all the time just makes it harder IMO.

But stuck beside that guy - christ that was hard - again every hour out he'd go - I reckon (even with my experience) he must have been having two - one after the other and whacking them down???. But as the team lead I'd enough problems with the guy, his crap attitude and sh1t work that I actually asked he be let go. The smell issue I purposely didn't raise because that would just make it look petty. In the end he managed to p1ss off the right people and got himself the bullet - but that's another story.

So yes - Olbas oil rocks!

D.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

buy him a bottle of febreze and just ask him to walk through a cloud of it when he's coming back inside.

Chinafoot

helimachoptor wrote: »

From wiki


They are not related as in smoking doesn't give you asthma but lets say it doesn't have a good effect on it!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthma

Maybe one of the med heads might drop by to further enlighten us.

Eh, that says the smoke would affect it so unless you are being exposed to the actual smoke, and not just the after-smell, I don't think the asthma excuse will work.

I'm a former smoker and it was only when I quit that I realised how much clothes and breath stink right after a smoke. It is horrible. However, unless you're going to actually say something to this guy, you might be better off asking to move yourself to another desk.

Cocobells

Hi
Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I felt I had to. This is aimed toward the OP. I find it funny that you're not man enough to say to your adjacent work college that you reek of fags and it makes you feel ill. I'd appreciate if you used deodorant and chewed some gum and even went to the dry cleaners and had a quick shower before you come sit next to me in future. I'm sure his reaction would be one of dismay, because as they say if you've got nothing good to say don't say anything at all.
I find it amusing that you log onto an internet forum to ask this question from people who don't know you or your work environments. I actually feel sorry for that guy having to sit beside you all day, from my understanding you're one boring bastard who im sure is far from perfect yourself. Picture a few years back, he'd be blowing it in your face, what then die of passive smoke inhalation OMFG... You should maybe ask him what irritates him about you, get a real sense of understanding about each others habits you know?, im sure he has a few home truths in store and some you might not even realize yourself. then you can have a real chuckle as your face reddens.
None smokers who dislike smokers make me Sick.

congo_90

leave some mints on his desk next time. if he asks say you can't stand the smell. Try to sound sincere.

DonkeyStyle \o/

congo_90 wrote: »

leave some mints on his desk next time

lol
Yeah or leave him a note, or cough loudly, that's a non-bitchy, grown up way to get your message across. :rolleyes:
Dropping hints just comes across childish, bitchy and sarcastic IMO.
It's amazing how guarded and socially retarded people can be in offices.
Just bring it up in a friendly, genuine, direct way... he won't run home crying. (sure it might be embarrassing and awkward for about 60 seconds)
Or if you don't think you can handle that, then do nothing, say nothing and get your (or his) seat switched.

There again, he probably won't do anything about it either... he's not going to quit smoking because you don't like the smell, he's not going to spray himself with fabreeze, and he's not going to take a shower and change his clothes every hour, let's be realistic here.

It sucks to be stuck sitting beside some smelly bastard, I know, I spent months sitting adjacent to the mother of all smelly bastards (the kind of smell that still lingers in a big green cloud an hour after the person has left the room)... nobody should have to work in such conditions.
But these people don't smell themselves... just like people who work on farms no longer register the (otherwise overwhelming) smell of cow shít... so if you bring up the topic of their smelliness, they just don't get it and will think you're being picky, over-sensitive or a general whiny asshole and ignore you.

All you can rely on is their sense of consideration for other people, and even then, since they can't smell themselves, they won't know when they've fixed the problem odour to your satisfaction.

I think the best solution is to find someone else who you're friends with and see if you can get the new guy to switch seats with them for that reason.
Granted you'd be making it someone else's problem, but not everyone is as bothered about smoker smells as you apparently are.

axer

helimachoptor wrote: »

I asked him to move, he as a mature person understood my objections to his stench and moved.

Cocobells wrote: »

Hi
Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I felt I had to. This is aimed toward the OP. I find it funny that you're not man enough to say to your adjacent work college that you reek of fags and it makes you feel ill. I'd appreciate if you used deodorant and chewed some gum and even went to the dry cleaners and had a quick shower before you come sit next to me in future. I'm sure his reaction would be one of dismay, because as they say if you've got nothing good to say don't say anything at all.
I find it amusing that you log onto an internet forum to ask this question from people who don't know you or your work environments. I actually feel sorry for that guy having to sit beside you all day, from my understanding you're one boring bastard who im sure is far from perfect yourself. Picture a few years back, he'd be blowing it in your face, what then die of passive smoke inhalation OMFG... You should maybe ask him what irritates him about you, get a real sense of understanding about each others habits you know?, im sure he has a few home truths in store and some you might not even realize yourself. then you can have a real chuckle as your face reddens.
None smokers who dislike smokers make me Sick.

Dude, you got issues!
I find it funny that you didnt read the thread before posting! :rolleyes: Is the smoking effecting your eye sight?
BTW, I dislike smokers too - it is a disgusting habit but glad I make you sick.

GoneShootin

Cocobells wrote: »

from my understanding you're one boring bastard

Less of the personal insults Cocobells. Consider this a slap on the wrist.

eth0_

Yes, he's not going to quit smoking because someone complains. But - why does he smell so strongly of cigs? Is it because he's taking liberties with smoke breaks or is he just unhygienic?

Either way you can complain to your manager that he is taking liberties with smoke breaks, or has a personal hygiene problem.

helimachoptor

Guys! I asked him to move and he moved!

Ok I have never liked smoking but this isnt like normal smoke smell, it was like ash in an ashtray that you had added water too and left sitting there for a week smell, pretty minging

the_syco

helimachoptor wrote: »

Guys! I asked him to move and he moved!

Ok I have never liked smoking but this isnt like normal smoke smell, it was like ash in an ashtray that you had added water too and left sitting there for a week smell, pretty minging

Sounds like one of the stronger "rollie" tabaccos. Some are pretty strong. Smoke Amber Leaf myself, but also eat mints, so dunno if the smell is as strong, but I doubt it, as in a few past jobs, people would be surprised that I smoke when they saw me smoking (ie: they wouldn't smell it off me).