Don't Know if Anyone Else Has Noticed This...

[AmyBoz]

...but now that they've made it illegal to smoke in public establishments (bars, restaurants, etc) here in New Jersey, I find that when I actually encounter cigarette smoke, it smells 5,000 times stronger than it did when I was used to smelling it (not liking it, but smelling it) in those places.

I also find that my body reacts to it now. Last night I was at a party with some teachers to celebrate graduation. It was in one of my friends' backyards and there were many smokers there. I have no voice today, and I really believe it is the result of inhaling the second-hand smoke, as it has only happened one other time and it was the same type of situation.

Anyone else notice an increased sensitivity to cigarette smoke now that it isn't around?

[Suzy]

yes, I feel as though I am suffocating now. Before it didn't bother me like that.

[frugalfoster]

Yes! When I lived with my parents, they smoked a lot so I never really took much notice of it. Now I have been out of their house for 30+ years and Washington State has outlawed smoking in any public place (including bars), so I anytime I'm even near cigarettes I can smell them. Actually I was behind a car the other day (driving in town) and I knew the man driving in front of me was smoking. Imagine that! People who smoke more than one pack a day do not realize how it stays on their clothing either. We have a couple who come into where I work and the smoke smell lingers for a couple of hours after they leave. Yes, my nose is really sensitive to it now.

[Drgnfly423]

In my state it's illegal everywhere except bars. I used to be a smoker. But now I can't stand it! I would never be vocal about it because I used to hate it when people would make comments to me when I was smoking. I always made sure to be away from people when I smoked (entrances to stores, etc) So people would have to be coming around me. But, I digress, I notice now the smell a lot more, and yes, it's icky!

[Michelle]

Yes, absolutely. I thought I was just imagining things, but I've experienced the same thing.

[freebs]

I know the area that im in you can still smoke in bars but i am an x smoker and cant stand the smoke but now i have asthma so being around smoke makes me have to use my inhaler!

[emily_hope]

I know exactly what you mean. I thought maybe I was just oversensitive. I get a headache and my sinuses really bother me after breathing in smoke. You can't smoke in public establishments here either, except in bars. If a place allows smoking, no one uner 18 is allowed in.

[Momto2Boyz]

So...what your saying is, all of you non-smokers got your laws passed to ban it and you still aren't happy? Ok, no, I'm totally kidding!

Jan. 1st it went into effect here. That is a huge running joke around here, becuase now people are complaining that you can't get into the restuarants without walking through a huge cloud of smoke to get there. I'm a smoker (I know...please don't flog me for it), and I try not to smoke near anyone...period.

We were at a b-day party a few weeks ago, and the host was teasing me. The party was in the backyard, but I actually went out front to smoke, just to make sure I didn't bother anyone, and she was teasing me for it. Just trying to be curteous. I don't want to make anyone else uncomfotable, just becuase I have a bad habit. I try not to smoke much in public at all.

[kcsmom76]

I haven't noticed more of a sensitivity to it, because I am highly allergic already. I cough and sneeze and my eyes get itchy and watery. I was thrilled when one of my favorite pizza places went to non-smoking. It is sad that people can't even eat a meal for 30 - 60 minutes without having to smoke.

I am so sorry the government keeps selling these "cancer sticks."
They get kickbacks from the sales and tax on them. So they just let me be sold. I hope and pray that my kids never smoke and I am teaching them the bad effects, but like with everything else they have to make their own decisions.

While I was waiting in line, in the drive-thru, to order at Wendy's this lady in front of me was smoking. I had to look around because the cigarette was inside her car, but I could smell it just like it was in the car with me. I would have rolled up my window, but I have manual windows and they are hard to roll down. I was thrilled when she got her order and got away from me.

I'm sorry I went on a tangent, but my grandfather died from lung cancer, 2 years ago, after smoking for many years and this subject is near and dear to my heart. He suffered so much.

[Palooka]

Tonight we went out to one of our old hang outs. It's like a bar/restaurant. I forgot the smoking ban was not in that city. My eyes were burning like crazy. I'm an ex smoker so I guess I can be sensitive to it. It's weird how smoke never bothered me before.

But yeah, we have been used to going out places around here where you can't smoke...

[froggy]

I work for a hospital here in Australia, it is amazing how many hospital workers ie nurses and doctors who know the risk smoke. Because my job is in the operating theatres I often like to get outside of the building and the only place to sit is in the smoking area. I always regret it my throat gets sore my nose starts to run, its terrible. I find it bizarre that I have this reaction as my parents were big smokers and had lived with it for 17 years and didn't even notice.

[PrairieRose]

So...what your saying is, all of you non-smokers got your laws passed to ban it and you still aren't happy? Ok, no, I'm totally kidding!

Oh, don't get us wrong.....no we're not complaining..... I won't flog you b/c I was married to a smoker for 29 years, before that lived with a smoker so I know cigarette smoke and smokers....from the inside out. But for those of us who don't smoke it's really a blessing, a huge blessing that it's being banned in public now. I think my right breathe supercedes anyone's (even a loved one's) right to smoke. And it really, really does bother some of us in a huge way, not just annoyance. My dh, Gripey who quit 3 years ago is the biggest complainer about smoke now.....which actually cracks me up.

And yes Amy, I have noticed this but maybe that's a really good thing....

[ellebee]

Yes smoke really bothers me. Today at a stop light in the car next to me the driver was smoking and it stung my nose - lol