How do you deal with friends who smoke around you?

[VanillaCoffee]

Hello! Basically, the question in the title. They're smoking just when we're outside and a friend asked me if he should stop smoking around me but I told him I'm fine at the moment. Is there any safe way for them to smoke around me? Maybe it would help if they keep the distance? I feel bad telling them to stop smoking, almost everyone outside smokes anyway. Thank you!

[peege]

You missed an opportunity there, I'd have said "oh yes please and thank you, it's very thoughtful of you". It's exceptionally rude of people to smoke in non-smokerers breathing space without asking. Being outside only dilutes the toxic fumes a bit. That friend of yours was thoughtful to ask though

[peege in reply to peege]

Hi, I forgot that youre new to asthma, there's so much to learn 🤯We call it passive smoking when we're breathing in other people's ciggie smoke as well at their exhalation of smoke which is twofold. The problem for us is what triggers our airways to inflame and possibly close making it more difficult to breathe properly, we cough more which inflames airways as well. Then we also cough when any mucus is stuck the other side of the inflammation.

For some asthmatics (I include myself) grow bacteria very quickly when any mucus is lurking in lungs, it's a perfect warm wet place for bacteria to multiply leading to an infection needing antibiotics.

Personally, sore throats and colds almost always turn into a lung infection. I take plenty of vitamins and minerals to top up immune system which really helps now I'm older as well as avoiding people with coughs & colds. The positive aspect of the pandemic is people are more aware of cross contamination, the extra hygiene precautions, hand hygiene, mask wearing etc.

Good luck and as I said before, no query is too small on here 👋

[Thomas45]

Tobacco smoke didn't appear to affect me for 50 years, but late last year, a friend's clothes reeked of stale tobacco smoke which caused great difficulty for me to breathe. If it happens again I now know that I need to go outside and breathe fresh air.

I should have added that I've been asthmatic for about fifty years, now aged 78. Before the Pandemic I had 2-3 asthma exacerbations a year, when a common cold led to respiratory infection. I was free of such exacerbations until November 2023, when a common cold led to a lower respiratory infection. I also have permanent, though asymptomatic, atrial fibrillation. I have never, knowingly, had covid.

[fraid]

Any smoke gives me asthma so I tell people not to smoke in my house full stop. Plus it stinks! I see you are in Romania where smoking is not banned like here as even 2 hand smoke can give people lung cancer. Perhaps advise your friend to give up for his and everyone else's health.

[runcyclexcski]

My asthma gets bad from smokers around me, to the point that I now avoid going to crowded cities. Europe is worse than the UK and the USA. I do not think you should feel bad -- it should be the other way around (they should). I put on a mask when I can't avoid being near smokers (e.g. stuck next to one at a bus stop). Having a bad habit that poisons not only the user, but everyone around, should be socially unacceptable.

[Cloudancer]

I have a Phillips mask whenever I am out. Our worst nightmare is living in a terraced home where next door is a chain smoker. The smoke goes through the air vents into our pantry.

[Patk1]

Perhaps if you stand at a distance,and also not facing the smoker

[Troilus]

Hi VanillaCoffee. We have a rule of no smoking in our house. Nobody has objected. We also have an ashtray in the garden so that visitors can go outside if they like for a quick cigarette. (My eldest vapes, but he even goes outside for that.)

If, by any chance we are all outside and someone lights up, I make sure I am down wind fro the smokers and if it blows in my direction I move or ask them to blow in another direction. Usually there is an apology and they either put it out or go to a different area of the garden.

It is a difficult one regarding friends - you don’t want to put them off visiting, but on the other hand you don’t want to upset those temperamental airways we all have.

I’m sure you will be able to come up with a solution that accommodates you all.

[strongmouse]

Basically they are opolluting your air space. The next opportunity you have I'd say to the friend who asked about smoking near you that you would prefer he didn't as msoking is known to irritate the lungs and as you have asthma it could make it worse.

if you say it firmly most people will move away. True friends will care about your health. Once you have done it a couple of times it will be easier.

[Dustyweaver]

They say passive smoking is worse than smoking. Steer clear of the smoke