# Ahh, the aroma of ashtrays **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 26, 2005, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655 "2005-05-26T20:01:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/141 "2005-05-28T12:11:57Z")
I am up for next week if you are. Email me. Warning I will be the stinky one. You HAVE to see the haka man. He is as tall as the bloody island! ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/142 "2005-05-28T12:17:38Z")
Righto. We’ll see what can be sorted for a meet. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/143 "2005-05-28T12:18:12Z")
> [@Ice Wolf](#): > > Just an addition – yeah, I have to put up with breathing in folk’s stinking carcinogens 'cause _they_ don’t want to get wet while they’re blowing the fumes all over the place. I don’t know if it’s illegal or just an RTD regulation, but smoking in enclosed bus shelters is prohibited here. It is illegal to smoke in many outdoor venues: the stadiums, the zoo, the botanical gardens, etc. People seem to go along with it agreeably; I can’t remember the last time I saw anyone smoking in one of these places. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/144 "2005-05-28T12:24:52Z")
AFAIK, as long as you’re smoking outside a building which is a public place or a work place in NZ, it’s okay to do so legally. Guess here, they don’t regard bus shelters as “buildings” or enclosed pubic places (which, of course, they aren’t.) It’s really just a small niggle. As I said, I possess The Glare ™. If I’m feelin’ _really_ bitchy, I use it. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/145 "2005-05-28T12:38:09Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > I don’t know if it’s illegal or just an RTD regulation, but smoking in enclosed bus shelters is prohibited here. It is illegal to smoke in many outdoor venues: the stadiums, the zoo, the botanical gardens, etc. People seem to go along with it agreeably; I can’t remember the last time I saw anyone smoking in one of these places. But what is an enclosed bustop? The only ones I have seen here have just 3 sides (barely! ask anyone hiding from the rain). Considerate smokers don’t smoke in them but it is not illegal to smoke in them. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/146 "2005-05-28T12:48:39Z")
> [@calm kiwi](#): > > But what is an enclosed bustop? The only ones I have seen here have just 3 sides (barely! ask anyone hiding from the rain). Considerate smokers don’t smoke in them but it is not illegal to smoke in them. Ours are mostly three sides as well; some have four. I think it’s the roof that makes it enclosed. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/147 "2005-05-28T12:51:27Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > Ours are mostly three sides as well; some have four. I think it’s the roof that makes it enclosed. That’s so weird. Walls are the difference between a carport and a garage. Here, I think “enclosed” means four walls. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/148 "2005-05-28T13:00:35Z")
Three sides is not enclosed when it it is raining. Shit three sides is never enclosed. Try enclosing a lion with 3 sides 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/149 "2005-05-28T13:03:52Z")
Shouldn’t you two be going to sleep instead of nit-picking me to death? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/150 "2005-05-28T13:08:11Z")
Yes we should. I can’t speak for the other Kiwi but “Muuuuuuuum I’m not tired” comes into play about now. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/151 "2005-05-28T13:09:42Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > Shouldn’t you two be going to sleep instead of nit-picking me to death? 🙂 It’s early Sunday morning. Kiwis are nocturnal, 'cause somebody has to be. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/152 "2005-05-28T14:22:54Z")
> [@Ellis Dee](#): > > Stupid? What was the reason you didn’t bold the entire sentence? Because I didn’t need to to prove that you had ignored arguably the most crucial word in it. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/153 "2005-05-28T16:23:06Z")
> [@Ink a dink a dink](#): > > \If BF would give up on this one issue (He absolutely will NOT) it would be the perfect relationship. So I suffer, and I get irritated and he thinks it’s ridiculous since he quit thirty years ago stone cold. Um…upped the addictive properties much?? > \ Do I understand you, that you quit smoking because your boyfriend won’t let you smoke? ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/154 "2005-05-28T18:32:23Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > Let me preface this, by saying I agree with you here. I think I can add an even worse funk, and I bet many will agree. Even better, it is usually non and anti smokers who do it. How about the people who drench themselves with cheap ass perfume? Ever see what happens to someone with asthma or bronchitis when they are stuck in the office with such a person? They practically stop breathing. But, the sanctimonious nonsmoking prick doesn’t give a damn and gets all huffy when called on it. And there are a lot of workplaces, particularly those in the health field, where they are going “scent free” too. Yes, this is JUST as rude as smokers stench. However, the old “oh but people cooking fish in the microwave stink, and Cindy Chanel #5 stink” argument in NO way makes the smoke stench all better. And I don’t know about the rest of the folks in this thread, but I have run across far more of those the OP is complaining about than perfume addicts. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/155 "2005-05-28T18:46:15Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > There is at least one benefit to the fact that the smell of tobacco lingers so: it makes it easier to avoid hiring them. > > And that’s not an empty joke. A friend of mine works in personnel in a branch of a very large corporation. The “unofficial” word from on high has come down to give non-smokers preference in hiring decisions. The rationale being, according to her, that smokers have more sick days/medical costs. > > BTW, she’s not supposed to _ask_ the applicants if they smoke, and she’s not to even hint that that plays a role in their not being hired. It’s all, “Thank you for coming in. I have more interviews scheduled, but we’ll let you know.” Why, I’m not sure. It’s not like smokers are a protected class. Or, maybe some smoker could claim tobacco addiction as a handicap that should be accomodated? Hmmm. That is sort of strange, but then, in this day and age of trivial lawsuits, maybe they’re just covering their butts just in case. There is a company here (and in Seattle I think is their headquarters) that flat out TELLS applicants that they are a nonsmoking company. Meaning not “don’t smoke when you’re here” but “you must be a nonsmoker to get hired and stay hired”. I don’t know if this is still their policy or not, but they are a growing company. Alaska Airlines. They’ve gotten away with it since the 80s, soooo…I guess take that with a grain of salt. So far, and IANAL so I could very well be wrong, it’s not illegal. Also, the same stands true if you’re applying for a job, if you walk in and the place smells of cig smoke, you know to either not interview at all, or to cut it short and not waste your best “interview face” with that company. ---
**Author:** ![Maendosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@Maendosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maendosa)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/156 "2005-05-28T18:59:46Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > And there are a lot of workplaces, particularly those in the health field, where they are going “scent free” too. > > Yes, this is JUST as rude as smokers stench. However, the old “oh but people cooking fish in the microwave stink, and Cindy Chanel #5 stink” argument in NO way makes the smoke stench all better. And I don’t know about the rest of the folks in this thread, but I have run across far more of those the OP is complaining about than perfume addicts. Both of the firms I’ve worked at in the last four years have had a ‘low scent’ policy, thank god. It is taken as something serious by HR if you get repeated complaints that you’re wearing too much cologne/perfume - in my case I get migraines from scents, and yes, if you smoke, I can smell it on you, regardless of how ‘downwind’ you hold the stick. For those trying to compare bad breath and body odor to cigarette smell - well, once in a blue moon someone might forget to lay on the Secret before coming to work, or have garlic at lunch, but you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who comes in stinking ever day, and increases that stink at regular intervals throughout the day. It’s not a valid comparison. I miss Los Angeles and their ‘no smoking indoors, period’ laws. I don’t go out nearly so much here in Seattle now because I don’t like having to wash my clothes, my hair, and my coat ever time I go out for a drink. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/157 "2005-05-28T20:19:50Z")
> [@](#): > > …my statistics teacher has actually worked with the federal government on this. Apparently, it’s ok not to hire someone because they smoke, if you’ve done a study that proves smokers take significantly more sick days. > > Apparently it’s not hard to prove. I really hope that’s not true. ---
**Author:** ![Jillyvn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Jillyvn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jillyvn)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/158 "2005-05-29T01:11:17Z")
Smoker, chiming in. I think smoking in a workplace is just plain odd, but maybe that’s because I’ve never worked in such an environment. I don’t smoke in my home because I don’t like the lingering funk, so I’m sure I would hate it at work. Also, I cut my lunch in half and split the remainder between two daily smoke breaks. I function well, and I work hard. The smell thing… I take my jacket off when I smoke, wash my hands before I go back into the office, I’m well aware of the side effects. I’m not pretending I smell like a rose, but there has to be some kind of compromise. I don’t smoke around non smokers, bus shelters etc. Finally, I live in the most fucked up place. Here, smoking is perfectly legal indoors in a pub, but banned on the patios outdoors. Odd indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/159 "2005-05-29T01:17:36Z")
I work in an office. I fell off the wagon in December, and am smoking again. I have a cigarette on the way to work, and then make sure I’ve done everything I can not to stink too badly, including keeping a packet of wet wipes in the car to wash my hands with before I go into the office. We don’t have coffee breaks at my office. I have a cigarette on my lunch hour, which I take at 1 PM. I have a cigarette in the car on the way home from work. (I’m not proud of smoking again, and intend to quit again.) There are a few casual smokers in the office that I’m aware of, but only because they’ve mentioned it or I’ve seen them smoking at work-related social events. They certainly don’t smell of it. No one in our office steps outside for a cigarette outside of either a lunch hour or before or after work. Except for one woman. Why the hell is she so special? And yes, she steps outside regularly, and yes, she reeks. It annoys me. You want a cigarette, then wait until your lunch hour like me. ---
**Author:** ![infamousmom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d6d6ee/32.png) [@infamousmom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/infamousmom)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655/160 "2005-05-29T06:51:05Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > Pretty much. But at least I’m still smoke-free this morning. You’re still an asshole. No, the only asshole is the one in your mirror–'cause that’s what it takes to be a smoker in the first place. And you’ll be a smoker forever, no matter how long it’s been since you last lit up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahh-the-aroma-of-ashtrays/305655.md?page=9)