How Do I Handle My Boss's Smoking in the Office Without Getting Sick?

I am very allergic to tobacco smell, and I get a severe headache if I inhale the same. My boss's cabin is very suffocating with tobacco smell. I am required to discuss important matters with him and need to go into his cabin a number of times in a day. If the boss smokes in the office, what can be the solution?

If you have a good relationship with your boss, you should politely tell him about this. Otherwise, there is no other option but to tolerate it, dear friend.

Hi Anju,

If your boss is friendly, discuss the problem with him. If not, plan your work to reduce the number of times you visit his office. Communicate mostly through emails and the intercom. Your boss will likely notice this change over time. If he asks about it, you can easily explain the issue to him.

All the very best...

CRK
crk.mbahr (at) yahoo.com

Everybody smokes in my company, including the boss. It is very difficult to work sometimes.

On No Smoking Day, we declare that no one will smoke in the office. They will have to go out for smoking. Plan something like that or do as suggested by CRK in the above post.

Solutions:

1. Ask your HR to stick a "No smoking" board in the company building. This gives an indirect message to everyone. If your boss is sensible, he will stop smoking in his office cabin.
2. Request your Safety officer to fix a smoke detector in your boss's cabin as part of safety measures.
3. Create a separate smoking zone outside the office area.

LGR

Every boss has a boss. A silent complaint anonymously to the big boss would do... ask your boss to quit smoking totally as smoking causes cancer and other health issues. Add a few points relating to your boss's health. Never stick a "no smoking" sticker without asking for permission unless you want to start office politics. Be polite when addressing the issue. Doing these kinds of things may result in no solution. Another approach could be when he is smoking and you have work in his cabin, enter his office with a handkerchief on your face. Act like you don't mind when the boss smokes but show him you are allergic to it, like sneezing when exiting his cabin or coughing. Show concern for your boss's health as well. This approach may be easier to implement.

I mean a "no smoking day" as declared by the government. On that day, make a rule of outdoor smoking.

You must be aware that nicotine is one of the most addictive substances.

The best solution would be: "Change your boss."

Just cover your nose with a hanky when you enter his cabin and give a glaring look at the ciggy. Keep your mouth and nose covered throughout the whole trip to the cabin. That is bound to give a clear message to your boss. Source: Self Experience.

1. Try to create an environment of not smoking by putting posters in your company against smoking.
2. Try to allocate a separate area for smoking and educate all staff on this.
3. You can also send friendly emails to each other and your boss, encouraging not smoking.
4. You can also inform your boss about your problem.

But the most crucial factor is the environment. Discussions in the canteen, cafeteria, during break times, lunch breaks, and in serious meetings can greatly help create an environment against smoking, paan, etc.

Naeem
Dubai
mnaeem81@yahoo.com

In case your management is supportive of a smoking ban, you can pursue the matter and ban smoking in the entire organization. But this will definitely hurt and offend your boss, so be prepared. If your MD/CEO is a smoker, then a ban will remain a dream only.

Some members have very innocently suggested that you counsel and request your boss to quit smoking. Your boss is well aware of the ill effects of smoking, and there must be a lot of pressure from his spouse and kids to quit smoking. If that pressure is not working on him, then your counseling and requests are going to fail for sure.

After all, if you are not getting the solution, then take one perfume with you. Whenever you go into the cabin, spray it. Keep going, Munna Bhai.

Hi Anjubala,

You received a lot of suggestions and advice in this regard. Have you tried applying or are you thinking of applying any of these suggestions? Please let us all know the feedback.

All the very best...

CRK

Hi Friends,

I am also facing the same problem. The best solution is to reduce the number of visits to the boss's room by utilizing emails and the intercom.

Regards,
Vandana