Anyone else had this problem and how do I deal with it?

[TailPoof]

My asthma is triggered by smoke, grass, pollen, excess cat hair and any sprays. The dpd driver rung the bell before he was two metres back. I stepped back but he was still closer than a metre. He looked annoyed at me then moved his cigarette to the side of his mouth but it was already too late! He took the photo and left. He doesn't know he gave me an asthma attack. Fast forward eight hours I've just woken up from a long nap. Every time I have an attack I sleep all /day and my new inhaler makes me more tired than the old one. I'm only on a relief inhaler at the moment and I have trouble breathing every three days. I had a bad attack two days ago then again yesterday so I was a bit on edge about sitting in my garden to read today but then I didn't do anything because my energy was sucked out of me.

[twinkly29]

Whatever medication you're on, if it's not doing the job and you're still symptomatic (which you are if you're struggling every few days) then you need to speak to your GP or asthma nurse. It sounds like you need to be on a preventer inhaler as well - the blue reliever will treat the symptoms each time but not any underlying inflammation.

The situation you mentioned is difficult - the delivery driver would surely have to have rung the bell before he was 2m back...not sure how he'd have done it from that distance. But regardless of that, it's really gross that he's smoking while delivering parcels and I'm pretty sure he shouldn't be doing that. I guess you could report him to the company he works for. But please do contact your GP as they need to know that you're regularly symptomatic. Getting on top of it should mean coming into contact with triggers (which can be unavoidable sometimes....eg if you're walking down the street and pass someone smoking) is more manageable.

[Wintersbite]

Hi if I remember right it is actually illegal to smoke while the employee is actually on a paid job/ time of the employer so you have every right to report this person the only time he is allowed to smoke is on his own time like break times and lunchtime I do believe that if thay request a short time especially for a smoke like a bathroom type break then they are allowed extra ones but as a smoker myself this is shameful why didn't he have his mask on ? Also most of my friends don't smoke so if I need to have a smoke I ask if they mind or if I can go outside away from them and they all love that I will go to the street corner in the rain rather than smoke Infront of them it gives me the same respect back my friends don't consum alcohol Infront of me knowing that I have very upsetting and bad experience with people who drink plus I don't drink myself and I really appreciate this returned consideration.

If I was you I would report this smoke is one of the worst smells to get rid of aswell if your delivery was fabric but either way it's disgusting.

Good luck hope you feel better soon.

[Sparkywoo]

Completely agree with twinkly29. Right drugs and it should all be so much easier X

[Yellow75]

I think you do need to speak to doctor too. As you seem to need more than the reliever. That said second hand cigarette smoke is a major trigger for me. I hate it and I think people who smoke are totally antisocial. For me they should find a room to in their own houses and smoke in there no windows open or wear a helmet with the visor down if outside, so no one else is affected, but THEM.

I would report the driver. I’ve also had issue where parcels received have had strong odour of cigarette smoke that’s been difficult to get rid of. I’m also very annoyed when people smoke in shopping lines at the moment, it sets me off. The other day I left a queue for this reason. Couldn’t believe it the other day when at a hospital appointment and people smoking in queues.

I do try to walk around smokers but even that doesn’t work sometimes, as depending on weather conditions you can still be affected by it. If someone is a heavy smoker they carry the smoke around them.

I’m all for banning smoking in public places. It would be so much better!

[Hidden in reply to Yellow75]

queuing with people smoking also causes me problems, had to leave one the other day it was so bad. Just sitting next to someone who's been smoking can set me off. Totally agree with you!

[Yellow75 in reply to Hidden]

I have chip on shoulder about smoking, and don’t hide my disgust.I do sometimes make it very Obvious.

[Hidden]

I fully understand your annoyance at some people’s attitude towards asthmatics and cigarette smoke. As others have said you should also be on a preventer inhaler of which I am also on, but despite my general asthma being under control, I also have allergic asthma and when I breathe smoke, even in low concentrations it can cause a sudden reaction to my that leaves me gasping for air. I spent many years being exposed to low concentrations of secondary smoke and then suddenly one day became extremely sensitised to it. The problem I have is that non asthmatics don’t believe it affects me because of its low concentration. I explain to them that an oven or toaster isn’t deemed to be a danger to one’s health, and if you measured it with an air quality monitor you’d probably get a very low reading (if any) but to an asthmatic it can cause endless problems – they just frown at me! I even had an occ’ doctor several months ago say they didn’t believe somebody smoking near by would give me an asthma attack due to the low concentrations. I admit, I do have quite a chip on my shoulder about this, but I hope one day to tell you my full story of which I'm currently unable to for personal reasons. I hope one day we can have a ban in outside public places rather than just inside.

[Poobah]

As others have said, contact your doctor or asthma nurse to discuss more effective medication.

As for deliveries, you could put a notice on your door to say "Please knock/ring then step back two metres (mark it on the ground if possible). And absolutely no smoking. Thank you."

[Hidden]

I would too definitely report the driver.agree your asthma is not under control.hope with the right meds you feel better soon.