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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find the smell of fag smoke yuck

77 replies

Lolimax · 09/09/2015 15:00

Im stood behind a very pleasant man in the queue in a cafe. But the awful smell of stale cigarette smoke from him actually made me feel sick. I've never been a smoker and I know a lot of smokers who don't smell. So what is it that makes some smokers stink? Honestly it was awful. Yuck!

OP posts:
dustarr73 · 09/09/2015 17:44

Theres a woman who collects her son the same time as me.And the smell of smoke off her is rotten.Smoke and mints,its just stomach churning.

The thing i hate is when someone takes a last drag and tehn breathes out on teh bus or in an enclosed place.That is really vile.

IKnowIAmButWhatAreYou · 09/09/2015 18:07

some of my opinions on the way people choose to spend their time would not make me much fun at parties

I think they'd probably make people think you were an arse shrug

caelacoo · 09/09/2015 18:35

Could be worse...I currently house share with my sister in law (she moves out on Saturday hurray!) she chain smokes..literally one after the other. With cannabis -.- she literally stinks the whole house out.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 09/09/2015 18:41

I'm pregnant and gave up secretly smoking when I found out I was pg. Like Anya I am quite liking the smell, but only of fresh (ie currently being smoked ) some rather than stale. I am really hoping no o start again once the baby comes. I found that the stale smell is worse if someone smokes outside then comes in. Also, used to work in a prison and the lads would make roll ups using dog-ends from the ashtrays....even when I smoked the smell would be horrendous. I think it's fair to say that the smell of fag smoke is yuck, but as is any smoke (stale bonfire on hats and scarves is my personal pet hate).

thenewaveragebear1983 · 09/09/2015 18:44

That should say 'not to start again' by the way!!! I don't have 20 b&h in my hospital bag!

AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 09/09/2015 18:46

Whether you intended it to be a thread bashing smokers or not, it's not exactly a nice thread is it?

I love my smokes and I don't make any excuses for that. If I smell badly and people don't want to be around me, then fine. I'd prefer not to smell most people's nasty Superdrug perfume/cologne but I have no choice in the matter.

Oh and this does not belong in AIBU! Of course you aren't being unreasonable not to like the smell - kind of a given isn't it? Sorry, but this is a bug bear of mine - post it in chat or health or wherever but not in AIBU.

TheMotherOfHellbeasts · 09/09/2015 20:18

I find the smell of cigarettes very comforting, the three most significant relationships I've had (DH, my ex fiance and my ex DP) have all been with smokers, so the smell brings to mind some lovely memories. I also find it sexy as hell to watch DH leaning against the corral railings smoking Blush
I lived in Cuba for several years and although I don't smoke I can't resist a proper Cuban cigars from time to time. Mmmmm, makes me want one now.

Jw35 · 09/09/2015 20:19

Yabu for bashing smokers.

Justanotherlurker · 09/09/2015 20:27

Ah don't worry, you just haven't found your brand yet.

I suggest Marlborough Red

Welshmaenad · 09/09/2015 20:53

I've just quit (3 weeks, 5 days, feeling quite proud!)

But when I smoked people would tell me that I didn't smell like a smoker.

My husband otoh, reeks after a fag.

We both smoke outside, but the smell seems to cling to him but not me. No idea why!

Alexjoy · 09/09/2015 21:01

It's gross. In fact, the smell is worse than the actual act of smoking, I find.

dustarr73 · 09/09/2015 21:06

People who smoke dont seem to smell it.My dp only smoked if he had a drink,but the next day the smell off the clothes was rank.And when he gave it up altogether couldnt believe teh smell off his friends and how easy it transferred to his clothes.

WhatsTheT · 09/09/2015 21:23

I don't think OP was bashing smokers since she asked why some stink and some don't?

For instance saying "Why do fat people look amazing in some clothes and I look like a lumpy sack of spuds" isn't fat bashing.

Yes it stinks, yes some stink more than others.

Whether you smoke or not, hate it or are indifferent, cigarettes stink, they just do. I can't stand the smell of it full stop. If someone who smokes in a car drives past I smell it instantly, and if I walk down wind of someone I can't stand it. I'm just sensitive to it, same way some people can't stand the smell of curry or whatever.

romeomorningwhisky · 09/09/2015 23:38

I am an ex smoker,

I like the smell of a lit cigarette but the smell of stale cigarettes ugh.

I work in a very relaxed environment, my bosses wife chain smokes in the vicinity & I stink like an ashtray after work every day!
If she gives me something to take home say an item of clothing twice through the wash & it would still smell of cigarettes!

I've been accused of crafty smoking by family members when I come home reeking.

I don't think anyone can complain about people smoking outside & if someone was giving me looks that could kill for smoking next to a bin (ashtray?) outside they would be told to wind their neck in!!

SmugairleRoin · 09/09/2015 23:42

Yanbu, I think the smell is dreadful. I could never date a smoker, and I don't let people smoke in my house (my brother spends a lot of time here and is very sensitive to smells - that and I don't want my house reeking anyway).

mileend2bermondsey · 09/09/2015 23:48

Why even start this kind of pointless AIBU, other than to start another smoker bashing thread?
The answer is obvious surely?
What's next? a post asking 'AIBU to not enjoy being punched in the face?'
If you just want to whinge about something go to Chat instead of making a pretend AIBU.

TheCatsFlaps · 10/09/2015 00:02

YANBU. It's when you leave places like shops or hospitals and the smokers congregate at the door, forcing you to walk through their stinking fag reek. Is shopping such a trauma that they need to light up immediately? Was in a shop today when an elderly gentleman lit a cigarette before even getting out the door and pretended he was doing nothing wrong. The smell was vile and security asked him to put it out and leave.

IKnowIAmButWhatAreYou · 10/09/2015 09:16

forcing you to walk through their stinking fag reek

Boo-fucking-Hoo.

Suck it up (or in) and go about your own business and leave others to mind theirs....

WinterIsNeverReallyComing · 10/09/2015 09:51

The thing is though, 'their business' is affecting others, so the 'leave them to mind their own business' argument falls a little flat. I have no issue in general with smokers who smoke outside, away from non-smokers, especially if they wash their hands afterwards and wear a jacket to take off when they come inside. However, when my MIL smokes then comes back inside and wants to cuddle my children, I do hate that they then reek of stale smoke. When they were tiny I would ask her to wait 10-15 mins after her last cigarette, but I always felt really mean for asking. I agree that you get desensitised to it too. As a teenager, pre-smoking-ban, I frequently went out and came back absolutely reeking of smoke, but it didn't bother me, I guess because the smell was more prevalent back then. Now if I go to an enclosed space where someone is smoking, I find my eyes really sting and it makes me feel nauseous.

BathshebaDarkstone · 10/09/2015 09:54

It was worse when I was pregnant. It used to make me throw up.

Doublebubblebubble · 10/09/2015 10:02

I was sat behind an old man on the bus who was wearing a leather jacket that also stank of stale cigarettes. It is the most vile offensive smell. Of course because they smoke these people cant smell it themselves. If you have to smoke - carry a can of something to make yourself smell nice for others.

maybebabybee · 10/09/2015 10:16

I don't really like people being precious over smells in general tbh. Our cafeteria recently took a certain hot sandwich off its menu because people were complaining about the smell. It was bloody delicious :(

WeAllFloat · 10/09/2015 13:06

It's just such a grim smell though. Comparing it to a sandwich, or perfume is ridiculous. Some smokers (NASALT) smell like they live under a pub carpet and only crawl out to roll on the toilet floor. These are the smokers I think op is on about.

On balance though, I'd rather walk briefly through fag smoke, than work sitting next to a woman who has doused themselves in strong perfume.

maybebabybee · 10/09/2015 13:07

I'm not a smoker. I'd genuinely rather smell stale smoke than some perfumes Confused

IKnowIAmButWhatAreYou · 10/09/2015 14:18

I've just come up in the lift after lunch. There were about 20 people in the lift and the following smells -

Fags
Perfume
Aftershave
Moisturiser
Sweat
Coffee Breath
Plain old Bad Breath
Chips/Fat/Grease

plus assorted wafts coming from peoples bags.

I failed to feel nauseated, disgusted, overpowered.

I didn't gag, retch, heave, cough, splutter, glare, tut.

Because life is about tolerance and none of the above were issues that affected me, and even if they did - it was for 5 floors.

People really need to just get on with their own lives & grow up.