Okay, I've only been a member here for maybe two weeks, so I'm not really sure about everything yet. For one thing, I was wondering if I'm wrong in considering my home to be a smoke-free environment, as far as my books are concerned? You see, I'm rather sensitive to smoke (of any kind), so I obviously don't smoke, but my mom (who I live with) does. Given my issues with it, she only smokes outside, and frequently changes her clothes, showers, etc. to make sure she doesn't have too much of a cigarette odor when she's around me. In addition, she lives upstairs, while I (and my books) live downstairs. While she does sometimes come downstairs (to watch a movie or something), all of my books are in my room all the way down the hall, where she almost never goes, just to be safe. Therefore, she's practically never even been in the same room as any of my books (with the rare exception of when I loan her one for a plane ride or something). Despite how sensitive I am to smoke, I have never detected any odor whatsoever on any of my books, and have never had any type of reaction to any of them (which tends to happen easily). So, what do you think? Can I consider my home to be a smoke-free environment for my books?

FWIW - here's what I think is a key phrase: "Despite how sensitive I am to smoke, I have never detected any odor whatsoever on any of my books, and have never had any type of reaction to any of them (which tends to happen easily)."

Just as or even more importantly, from your description, it sounds like your books are not being exposed to smoke, which presumably is the intent of the "smoke-free environment" definition. That said, if you think others might be more sensitive than yourself (enough to notice a book that has been exposed to someone who *has* smoked), then you might want to exercise caution.

Just my $.02 - IANAL nor do I play one on TV!

I think that sounds like a smoke free environment to me. The only thing I can think might be a problem is if your mom smoked while reading one of your books that she borrowed. You would probably notice if she did though.

I am in the same situation, except with my husband, who is a smoker. But he does not smoke in our apartment, only outside, and he isn't a reader so he never messes with my books. I consider my home a smoke-free environment.

I should add that I've sent many books to people with requestor conditions of "smoke free home" and never had a problem.

Cheryl

Oh, okay. Thanks everyone. I wasn't sure, so I appreciate the help. Yeah, she never smokes while reading one of my books, because she knows she'd have to buy me a replacement copy if she did, since that one would send me into an allergy attack when she tried giving it back. :-) lol.

Tiffany--

If you're sensitive enough to smoke to trigger an asthma attack, that's probably sufficient.  I have the same sensitivity, and if you feel comfortable with a book, I probably would too.

Also, given the number of folks without electricity at present, for some folks, a smoke-free environment may also include fireplace/wood stove/campfire smoke. Just a reminder for asthmatics to make their RCs clear, and senders to consider other kinds of smoke :-)

Cheers,

Catt

I hate to be the lone wolf here but, I wouldn't consider either the OP or think it was Cheryl's home smoke free...even if those folks smoke outside when they come in the house their clothing still has the smell in it.  so, it is in your house.

The one red flag that I saw in your posting was that you "loan her one for a plane ride or something".  She is a smoker, and if she either smokes in the vicinity of the loaned book or brings the book into her house, that book is no longer from a smoke-free environment. 

If you can keep good track of the books that you loan her, and never send them to someone with "smoke free" conditions, then I think you are safe to say that you are in a smoke-free environment.

edited to fix typos

Well I reckon we all have to make a decision about what type of RCs we are willing to send requests to. I consider my books smoke free because my husband doesn't go near my books. He doesn't smoke in the house. Now, if there was one that said, "please, no smoke, I'm very allergic" then I would turn it down because a lot of my books are from used bookstores, FOL sales, etc. and if the person is very allergic, I wouldn't take a chance since I don't know the history of the book. But those that ask for a current non-smoking home? IMO, I qualify for that, and as I've said have sent many, many books, lots with a 'smoke free' RC and never had a complaint.

There's a woman in the apartment next door who has a cat...now, the cat never comes in my apartment but she does walk her cat in the hallway on a leash. I suppose, using your reasoning, I ought to not send to those who ask for a pet-free home then, since a cat hair might get under the crack in my door? And I actually go out in public sometimes, might brush up against someone who wears strong perfume and get some on my clothes which might then transfer to a book, so I should turn down RCs for those who ask for no perfume smells? Does that mean I can't use scented dryer sheets anymore?

Is it really any wonder that a lot of people just refuse those with RCs automatically? Sheesh.......:o)

Cheryl

Cheryl you are being a bit tacky....the fact that your husband smokes outside is good but, he comes in the house, the smoke smell is on his clothes and part of his being...there is still "smoke" in your home. 

 I would consider both of your homes smoke free. Nobody is smoking in your home. My Mom smokes and stops over a couple times a week. I don't think my books which are in a sealed tub in a closet in the second story of my home are getting any smoke on them because my Mom might have smoke residue on her clothing. So I guess if a non-smoker went over to a friends house who smoked and came back to their non-smoking home they would then have to consider all their books tainted by smoke now? Give me a break!

I would consider both your homes smoke free as well....but what we think really isn't important.  It is whether or not YOU feel comfortable in sending out items.  It is a judgment call. 

If you are unsure, then turn the request down, or see if you can contact the person.  Alot of members, like myself, provide their nickname so that you can contact the person if you have a question about requestor conditions. 

The problem with living with a smoker is that it can dull your sense of smell. My husband smokes outside as well but because his clothes, his hair, etc., smell like smoke, I think I'm used to the smell and don't notice it as much as someone else may. Unless the book reeks of smoke, I may not be able to tell if it has an odor or not.  He also smokes in his car, so anything that goes in his car, including packages being dropped off at the post office, most likely smell of smoke.

If in doubt, I'd just pass on any requests with a nonsmoking RC. Your book will go back to the top of the FIFO list and it shouldn't take long before it's requested by someone else. If you're sensitive to smoke, and can say for sure your books don't have any odor, then you should have no problem.

As someone whose husband is highly allergic to cigarette smoke, and an asthmatic myself - I would consider your home a non-smoking home. The only time I wouldn't is if your mother occas. "sneaks" a cigarette in the house thinking no one would notice. My now-deceased father-in-law would do that - he'd go down to the basement where there is an old fireplace and he'd blow his smoke up the chimney and think he was getting away with smoking in the house - but he would tell people he definitely didn't smoke in the house.

Other than that, unless your Mom takes your books with her when she smokes, I think you're good and I would buy from your shelf.

Geesh, I didn't want to start a big debate. I really do appreciate all the feedback though. There seems to be an agreement, with one exception. Christy (Princess65), if you could define your idea of a smoke-free environment I'd really appreciate it. I personally don't have any doubts (knowing how easily I get sick from smoke) about the books, but I wasn't sure if there was a rule on this that I didn't know about or something. But I guess that if even an asthmatic (and several other people with RCs) says they'd feel comfortable getting books from me, and someone in the same situation has never had a problem, then my initial opinion must be fairly valid. As far as my mom goes, she NEVER sneaks a cigarette in the house, never brings the books with her when she smokes, and always goes outside even when away from home. It's the one absolute concrete rule of the house, to keep me from reacting to my books, and to keep the odor as under control as possible while I'm living with her. Thank you everyone for all of the feedback. I guess if I do get an RC in the future that I have any doubts about, I know what to do, so thank you for that advice as well.

My husband smokes cigars on the porch once or twice a week and I consider my home a smoke free environment.  He's nowhere near my books and there is no smoke smell in the house.  I don't smoke and I can smell it instantly in someone's house if they smoke.  His clothes don't even smell like smoke. 

All I smell in my house is dog. 

Tiffany, count me in as someone who considers your books to be from a smoke-free environment.

Not you Tiffany, it's a good question.  Some peeps enjoy getting their panties in a twist.

For all reasonable applications your home is non-smoking.  Unless PBS regulations require everyone to post a notice on our front door "absolutely no smokers allowed to enter at any time" before we can post books as non-smoking, then reasonable guidelines should be utilized.

As another person allergic to smoke, I wouldn't have a problem receiving a book from your home.  As for the books mom borrows, maybe have another non-smoker give them the smell test?  I definately notice smoke odor on peoples clothing, or my kids after a bonfire.  But once in clothing or other items, that smell really doesn't transfer as easily as direct contact with the smoke itself.

I'm one of the folks that pretty much turns down environmental requests immediately - I have no inbound conditions, huge numbers of my books came from used sources too numerous to list and I don't run around sniffing and segregating.  Not to mention the pets of all varieties and the glory of living in a big old (literally) dusty Victorian.  I don't mind waiting on the next requestor and neither do my books - each of which has been who knows where on it's path to me.

I appreciate that people have allergies and sensitivities (you won't see me ordering books on shellfish) and I don't mind reasonable conditions (environmental or not) but I'm not digging some of the boy in the bubble conditions I've been seeing lately - a bit extreme in the expectations that a used book should never have had even a chance encounter.  What can I say, in my opinion, the perfect companion for a life well lived is a book well read. :)

Ooops!  Edit, edit - didn't answer the question - IMHO, it's a smoke free home.  If someone wants a higher standard of smoke free, their condition should clearly state "Should never have been in a smoking environment".  Indeed, I would argue that "non-smoking" has a different connotation than "smoke-free" (which would include wood stoves, incense and such).

I don't like reading a book that has recently been read by a smoker (just a matter of preference, not allergy), but what is worse is trying to read a book that has been stored in a basement.  I have received several of those and I spray them with lysol, put them in the sun, and hold them far away from my face when I'm reading them.  If they are too bad, I just pitch them, half-read.  However I have found that the smoky ones lose their smell after a while.  Has anyone else noticed that?  

I, too, have turned down requests for books by people who want books from smoke-free environments although we are as smoke-free as you will ever find.   The reason is the same as others'...the book did not originate here.

I'd call your house smoke free.  I am a smoker, I only smoke outside & I read while I'm smoking so my books are definitely from a smoking environment.  Recently I did a BOB with a member & a few weeks later that same member requested another BOB from me but the 2nd time there was RC's for no smoking.  Well since our 1st BOB went just fine with positive feedback for both I was a bit worried.  I sent her a PM letting her know that my books were not smoke free, letting her know how my books are in contact with smoke & asking if the last books had smelled.  The member responded that my previous books did not smell & she removed her RC's so we could continue the BOB, the 2nd BOB arrived & she was still impressed at the lack of smell from my books.  I will say though that I turn down all RCs mentioning smoke & in my reason I let them know that while my books don't reek of smoke I am a smoker & cannot meet their RCs.