My imagination?

In the days before the smoking ban I used to find that if we went to a dance and people were smoking, I would often feel as if I had a hangover the next day even when I hadn't been drinking at all, which I thought was most unfair! I always felt that antismoking adverts should put more emphasis on the fact that smokers smell of smoke to non-smokers. JackyB, my father smoked when I was little, and i don't remember a pervasive smell either, but I assume that we must have been used to it, and of course, it was there in all public places then too.

We had a friendly acquaintance who smoked relentlessly, which was very difficult for everyone around her who didn't, but the worst thing was going out for a meal in her company. (This was in the days before the much needed ban on smoking in restaurants) I think she was aware that she smelled of tobacco in spite of being careful with hygiene, and before we sat down at the table she would douse herself with 'Poison' scent, which I hate - smells like a garden weed killer - so all her dining companions had the mixed delights of 'fag' smoke and overwhelming scent to add that certain something to the meal. We don't see her now .

Maybe you were so used to it, you didn't notice, JackyB?

I've found the smell of cigarettes rolled from loose tobacco seems not to linger quite so much as the readymade kind.

Both my parents smoked until well into their 70s. However, I can't remember any pervading smell around the house when I was little. Either cigarettes smell more these days, or those that have not been persuaded to give up smoking are the ones who smoke the really high-octane stinky ones. meaning that any smoking now give off more of that foul odour.

I've never touched a cigarette in my life.

I think some clothing / fabric holds the smoke more than others. Stuff that needs to be dry cleaned usually - like tweed jackets.
I didn't know that it could get into wood though until we inherited a piece of furniture which I couldn't have in the house until months of being in the garage with the door open as often as possible.
Also agree that some perfumes are as bad as smoking smells. Pungent, musky types, some room fresheners and oven cleaners. Some of these have literally taken my breath away and I am not asthmatic.

WW2 girl typical reaction from a smoker,sorry.

A neighbour of my was a heavy smoker for many many years,butgave up involuntary two years ago,due to hospital stay.the house still smells of smoke to this day.

Also my next door neighbour smokes standing by her back door. Luckily her door is away from mine but the other neighbours door is next to hers. They have told me they can smell the smoke in their kitchen. The prevailing wind is in their direction also.

This person is a Nurse so how she manages when in work I don't know. She is a very heavy smoker.

Years ago, when smoking was still allowed in Bingo Halls, I went a couple of times (I won the first two times and lost the third time so never went again). I had to hang my coat on the line outside as I came in because the smell was awful.

You will tell, by this, that I am not a natural gambler.

I remember one woman who i worked with that smoked.

I knew she was in the building before I even saw her as the smell of smoke and the perfume she wore to try and mask the smell was a lethal combination!!!

I hate to admit to it but l dropped a new friend because after seeing her l would have a headache form the smell on her clothes. Sounds awful but l could not find the words to tell her so l avoid her.

Thanks for all the replies - I didn't intend to start an anti-smoking rant Legs55! I would not say anything to upset my neighbour, she is a lovely lady and never smokes in someone elses home. I just wondered if still being able to smell smoke the next day was my imagination. I did actually buy some Fabreze fabric freshener and after having the windows open for several hours the smell disappeared.

Legs55

My sympathies - a lot of it gets to my lungs too - most cleaning products give my symptoms ranging from a headache to a full on asthma attack. I have got it worked out now. Fairy liquid was one of the worst and unless I rinsed the cups I could taste it all day. Now Waitrose Essentials for WUL anti-bac spray which is a clear liquid and bog standard floor cleaner and disinfectant.. Method polish - expensive but no aerosol chemicals and it smells very nice.

That's my "two pen'orth", I'll keep my tin hat on & head below the parapet

Another anti-smoking rant, it doesn't matter how considerate smokers are we still get moaned at. I don't smoke in my house or car. I only smoke 2/3 cigarettes a day.

As for smokers costing NHS, taxation on cigarettes goes to the Treasury, if it's not passed on to NHS that's down to the Government.

I have a pollen allergy but am also allergic to many perfumes & cleaning products so all of you moaning about smoking I would ask do you use cleaning products with a strong smell? Do you use perfume? Maybe you use a perfume I'm allergic to?

Yes it does and everyone/thing . I remember when smoking was still allowed in pubs. Even though I don't and never have smoked, when I got back home I had to strip off, including my underwear, before I sat down and put everything in the wash, then I would take a shower and wash my hair. Otherwise the whole house would stink. I really can't understand why anyone would start smoking in the first place.

My husband used to smoke but never in the house, car or office. One day he came home and put his jacket on the end of the banisters. The smoke alarm was immediately activated, it was directly above said jacket. He gave up in the 80s but I can smell smoke on people, in houses, cars and even outside. So I think yes smells can permeate fabrics, and combine that with a very good sense of smell!

I visit a friend whose family smoke though she doesnt. Even if none of them are in I still smell when I get home. Everything goes in the wash

I think people who smoke are used to the smell themselves and don,t realise how it can linger on their clothing, their hair and their breathe. You could introduce some plants into your house such as spider plants, small ivy,s and those type of plants which help to absorb pollutants in the atmosphere. I have an air purifier .....this is electronic and gives out ions (think that is the word) into the atmosphere to help purify it. The make is (Heaven Fresh) which I bought from Amazon. I bought this to help with a medical condition I have (nothing to do with smokers) but it leaves the room free of any smells and is small and lightweight enough to use in any room and is also silent so if it was needed in a bedroom overnight it does,nt disturb your sleep.

I work in a library and when one customer returns books they absolutely stink of cigarette smoke!

radicalnan . When a young teenager, DD had a very close friend whose whole family smoked heavily. Although she herself had never smoked (and was particular about personal hygiene) her clothing always stank of stale smoke which permeated our house for long after she left - I always felt so sad for her.

Bit extreme but l once let a short friendship slip by as the smell of smoke on the woman's clothes gave me a headache for the rest of the day. Not proud of it but l did not know her long enough to tell her, if you ever can.

I keep a pungent terrier handy at all times.

I used to visit my dear friend and her house stank and so did I when I got home.

GoldenAge said
"maybe you could introduce a diffuser into the room where you have coffee and point out to her that you have a new one - _get around to the fact that you hate smells coming from the kitchen, and you may get her to realise she's offending you_. "

How stunningly rude to give a guest the dawning realisation that they are offending you; and I am someone who heartily dislikes everything about smoking and its smell.

Either tell her plainly, or don't.

People who smoke don't realise how awful they smell. Their clothes, skin, hair and everything they own stinks of stale tobacco. A friend gave me some books from his house and I had to throw them away because they smelt so bad. I bought a second hand toy off ebay for my granddaughter and I had to keep it in the garage for days because it had obviously come from a smoky place and then soak it in Milton so I can easily believe that there was a residue of an odour left in your house. I'm afraid I wouldn't have that guest again and tell her why if she asked!