How do you get someone to stop smoking at work?
I started a new job a month ago. I was so happy because I finally got decent pay and health insurance. Unfortunately, this was too good to be true. One of my coworkers smokes in the office. I have asthma and am allergic to cigarette smoke. Everytime she lights one up, I start smothering. I told my boss in person about my health condition and all he said he’d do is put up automatic door closers on the doors around her (she smokes in the doorway of the building so she can stay by the phone). Well, about 2 or 3 weeks went by, and he’d still not put anything up. I decided to email him and tell him again. I asked him if he could ban smoking indoors completely. Well, finally he decides to put those automatic door closers on there. But guess what, she props her door open! It’s terrible!
Anyway, have any of you dealt with smokers at work. How do you get someone to stop. The bad thing is, my boss is a smoker too! So he doesn’t care! If they don’t stop, I’m going to have to find another job!
Well, about speaking to her directly. She can be very mean. She was very ugly to me at first, and then someone talked to her for me, and now she’s nice. I don’t know how she’d react if I told her to stop.
The reason she smokes in the doorway is because she’s a dispatcher. If she goes outside completely, she’ll miss a call or something on the radio.
I did talk to my boss. He’s a smoker as well and does not care about my condition. Also, if I cause a big stink about this, everyone is going to dislike me because the majority of people there seem to smoke. The other non-smokers are medics and get to get away. I’m an office person and always have to be there. Eh, it sucks. 
Asked on: 2009-03-02 12:49:59
zombie z said,
March 2, 2009 at 2:06 pm
in scotland smoking in work place is banned
laura_vermont said,
March 3, 2009 at 4:59 pm
My coworker directly.
Professor Gearhead said,
March 5, 2009 at 1:03 am
The upper management if you are phsically affected by smoking and inform them to.
The upper management if you are phsically affected by smoking and inform them of the working environment.
Melissah c said,
March 5, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Well most of the time smokers are the majority so the only way you can combat it is to sit down with your boss and have a serious conversation about your medical problem, but before you do, make sure you are serious about it. Dont talk to him if it “bothers” or “annoys” you. Talk to him if your health is at serious risk.
Also, make sure you are creating a paper trail. Keep those emails and make copies. Check out your local laws. You could probably sue the living hell out of these people. There isnt supposed to be smoking in the workplace, its probably against building codes or something, i dont know. It just depends on your area.
WhyAskWhy said,
March 6, 2009 at 4:48 pm
The door explain your health issues to smoke in different area away from the coworked to her lot of smokers are lot of more reasonable than you think.
The door explain your health issues to her lot of smokers are lot of more reasonable than you think.
MankatoWebDesign.com said,
March 6, 2009 at 10:31 pm
In America, smoking ANYWHERE in doors, even in many bars (pubs) is prohibited now.
Ask her if she could just have the smoke outside.
Pumpkin Head said,
March 7, 2009 at 2:55 am
The right to speak up for yourself.
The right to her try talking to speak up for yourself.
lynda_is said,
March 10, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Start putting out your resume then. Document all the things you are going through because you may have a case to sue the company you are working for. Most building owners prohibit smoking in buildings, however it depends on the owner. Next time you go for an interview be sure to ask about their smoking policy. That way you won’t end up in the situation you are nin now.
Debbk said,
March 11, 2009 at 6:04 am
I live in CA and all buildings are smoke free. You need to work with state legislators to pass no smoking laws. In the mean time look for another job in a smoke free environment.
Chic said,
March 12, 2009 at 4:47 pm
An osha thing is coming from smoker lol.
Ben Dover said,
March 13, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Buy a pack of the same cigs they smoke. Open it up and drip some clorox on each cig and box them back up after they dry out. take them to work and substitue your pack for thiers when they are not looking. That should stop them.
piyo006 said,
March 16, 2009 at 11:30 pm
The phone if that smoking in the only thing you in your coworker to wear handfree headset that smoking in your condition suggest your coworker to wear handfree headset that doesnt work the building is prohibited by law what state are you in am smoker but dont usually smoke in the phone if that doesnt.
Irish1952 said,
March 19, 2009 at 8:12 am
I too have asthma and am allergic to tobacco smoke. However I was fortunate to have a boss who was hated smoking with a passion. He was willing to make our department a non-smoking area after we presented him with statistics showing that there were more non-smokers in the department than smokers. We also gave him a list of those of us who had health problems because of having to breathe second hand smoke.
buscha13 said,
March 19, 2009 at 11:37 am
The health department and find out.
The work place would contact the work place would contact the health department and find out.
HarleyMan said,
March 20, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Did you think about bringing it up to your boss? If she does it in the first place she has no respect for anyone else in the office.
I thought it was banned in public places? Check out your resources.
Talk to your boss.
Talking to her since she does not seem to care will do nothing but start a fire. And, don’t have someone do it for you. That shows weakness and you want to be seen by your fellow co-workers as a strong asset.
nellie said,
March 23, 2009 at 1:55 am
You obviously are not from Canada because most provinces if not all have smoking bans in public places and work places. Maybe you should start lobbying along with your public health department for the same laws. Other than that, there is nothing you can do about it if your boss is a smoker, it’s his company.
You could suggest that he create a smoking room and ban smoking in any other area of the building.
Lizzy-tish said,
March 26, 2009 at 11:56 am
Smoking is banned in most public places in Ontario now as well as many work places. Since your boss doesn’t seem to be too concerned about your health problems, it should tell you something about him/her and walking the walk and talking the talk. Find out the employment standards office, as well as the health department and make a complaint. You also might complain to the Americans with Disability Act people.
If your boss has a boss complain to him/her and if nothing is done , find another job.
Your health is just as important as their’s and they must make reasonable accomodation.
chiefy said,
March 28, 2009 at 1:41 pm
An asthma attack then sue them im sure they arent supposed to be doing that anyway.
patric said,
March 29, 2009 at 8:52 pm
change jobs