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Old 04-06-2011, 01:53 AM
 
924 posts, read 2,223,215 times
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I'm convinced that increased exposure to second and third hand (the smell) smoke lately has led to my second cold in 2 months. I believe it's being caused by a combination of all my neighbors smoking (I live in a 6plex in a working class neighborhood), visiting peoples' apartments (I'm moving this summer) and my colleague who reeks of smoke.

Workplaces sometimes have policies against wearing heavy perfumes but what about smoke smell? Any suggestions on how to deal with smoky colleagues? I'm not talking about people who puff away in front of office buildings (that's another pet peeve of mine -I tend to avoid such entrances if possible), but people who reek so bad indoor, it makes you cringe. I've been sneezing non stop this week and I can't afford to get sick all the time. No I don't have allergies.
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Old 04-06-2011, 06:27 AM
 
Location: Texas
14,076 posts, read 20,450,172 times
Reputation: 7806
Deal with it. It's not making you sick unless you have a severe allergy. You're just obsessing.

Accepting others peculiarities and vices is just a part of the human experience. I'm sure there are things about you which your co-workers find annoying too, but take a tip from their politeness and don't make a federal case out of it.
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Old 04-06-2011, 08:09 AM
 
Location: San Antonio, TX
11,495 posts, read 26,725,734 times
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When I've lived in older buildings, I could sometimes smell the neighbors' smoke in my apartment. You can buy an air purifier for your home if that would make you feel better.

It's probably not causing your colds, though. I've had two colds in the last two months and I haven't had any exposure to cigarette smoke, second- or third-hand. It's just cold season.

Also, don't be too sure you don't have allergies...they can develop even if you've never had them before.
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Old 04-06-2011, 09:58 AM
 
12 posts, read 14,621 times
Reputation: 53
Really....now people are blaming "third hand smoke"....for making them sick!! Unbelievable!! I really wish the government would just go ahead and make cigs illegal, so all you non-smokers would get off of smokers backs....and yes I smoke!
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Old 04-06-2011, 10:49 AM
 
Location: Owasso, OK
1,224 posts, read 3,986,817 times
Reputation: 1147
Quote:
Originally Posted by ValueAddedWorker View Post
I'm convinced that increased exposure to second and third hand (the smell) smoke lately has led to my second cold in 2 months. I believe it's being caused by a combination of all my neighbors smoking (I live in a 6plex in a working class neighborhood), visiting peoples' apartments (I'm moving this summer) and my colleague who reeks of smoke.

Workplaces sometimes have policies against wearing heavy perfumes but what about smoke smell? Any suggestions on how to deal with smoky colleagues? I'm not talking about people who puff away in front of office buildings (that's another pet peeve of mine -I tend to avoid such entrances if possible), but people who reek so bad indoor, it makes you cringe. I've been sneezing non stop this week and I can't afford to get sick all the time. No I don't have allergies.
Get a miniature air-purifier for your desk. Go to HR is the smell is really that bad. You would do the same thing if your colleague smelled like poop or pits.
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Old 04-06-2011, 10:57 AM
 
Location: Mostly in my head
19,855 posts, read 65,587,238 times
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You can't get a cold from smelling smoke (or anything else). You get a cold from germs.
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Old 04-06-2011, 11:00 AM
 
Location: Elsewhere
87,995 posts, read 83,827,560 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah View Post
You can't get a cold from smelling smoke (or anything else). You get a cold from germs.
Exactly. Washing your hands is the key.
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Old 04-06-2011, 04:16 PM
 
Location: Boise
2,684 posts, read 6,862,290 times
Reputation: 1017
I quit smoking, but the constant nagging of self righteous whiners, make me want to smoke again..even if just out of spite.
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Old 04-06-2011, 06:01 PM
 
5,546 posts, read 9,965,004 times
Reputation: 2799
Quote:
Originally Posted by jufrbo View Post
I quit smoking, but the constant nagging of self righteous whiners, make me want to smoke again..even if just out of spite.
Something tells me this was not the feedback the OP was looking for.
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Old 04-06-2011, 06:04 PM
 
5,546 posts, read 9,965,004 times
Reputation: 2799
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801 View Post
Exactly. Washing your hands is the key.
I third this, with the understanding that anti-bacterial soaps only kill bacteria and not viruses.

Best thing to do is to both wash hands and not touch eyes, nose, mouth and other orifices.

Remember the H1N1 thing? Same rules still apply. Oh, and I first-hand smoke and haven't been sick since May of 2009 (knock on wood). However, I am not in the workplace exposed to sick coworkers who come in to work when they should be at home.

Last edited by mistygrl092; 04-06-2011 at 07:25 PM.. Reason: typo
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