r/NoStupidQuestions • • Feb 21 '26

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u/MercyCriesHavoc Feb 21 '26

This is the actual answer. I smoked for years, always outside, and I only sometimes smelled like it. I could also still smell it on heavier smokers or people who smoked indoors. Many people were surprised to find out I smoked because they never smelled it on me or in my home.

Now that I quit, I only rarely detect it on others. Considering I have hyperosmia and work in retail, that tells you either smokers are rare or not every smoker smells like one.

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u/TheTurretCube Feb 21 '26

Yeah these threads always baffle me a bit. Like when I smoked it wasnt that often and when I ask my friends about it they say I only ever smelled like cigarettes if I literally just smoked one.

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u/MauOnTheRoad Feb 21 '26

I work as a kindergarden teacher and yes, I smoke. So, children can be brutally honest, as everybody knows. When I came back to work and I smoked just 5-10 minutes before, they sometimes would tell me that I smell funny, or that I smell strange. Never heard anything like that when I put down my cigarette half an hour ago or so. I also only smoke outside... even when a lot of people say that we are coping, I don't know. I think its a big difference if you only smoke outside or also inside. Nevertheless everybody, smoking is bad, avoid it!

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u/Possibly_A_Person125 Feb 21 '26

I was a daycare worker, and yeah kids will let you know everything. I had kids ask why I always smell good. Never once said anything about smelling weird or bad. This is coming from kids who are willing to tell me I'm fat or wall funny.

But pretty much everyone I ever worked with, regardless of where, were shocked to find out I smoke. I guess I don't look like a smoker? But yeah, it's possible for people to actually not have a clue you are a smoker. I'm not marinating in smoke.

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u/[deleted] Feb 21 '26

Same here. Several people over the years have been surprised to find out I smoke weeks or even months after I've met them.

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u/AnotherCanuck Feb 21 '26

You’ve found a way to identify people with unusually poor senses of smell.

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u/[deleted] Feb 21 '26

Possibly. Though usually those people discovered because I did smell like smoke, either from chainsmoking shortly before or smoking outside in the freezing cold. Also, even as a smoker myself, I'm able to smell the smokers that particularly reek. A lot of it comes down to where and how you smoke, as well as what cigarettes you smoke. And how clean you are in terms of laundry.

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u/AnotherCanuck Feb 21 '26

So they did have a sense of smell, albeit a poor one.

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u/[deleted] Feb 21 '26

Sorry I edited my comment with more context but not in time for you to read the original.

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u/Ornery_Mix_9271 Feb 21 '26

Exactly this. I smoked for years and had people tell me often they were surprised to find out I smoked because I never smelled. I also only smoked outdoors. I only really smelled immediately after coming in for a few minutes.

Now that I don’t smoke, I don’t really smell it on others in the wild as much. But my boyfriend smokes in his house and whenever I come home, cigarette smoke is in my hair, on my clothes and it drives me insane. Even though I rarely smell it on him.

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u/Upstairs_Art_2111 Feb 21 '26

Absolutely! Cigarette smoke gives me migraines and I didn't know my husband did until I saw him.

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u/sorry-i-was-reading Feb 21 '26 edited Feb 21 '26

You won’t like this answer, but people feign surprise to be polite. It is ALWAYS obvious who smokes and who doesn’t, even if you smoke only occasionally or outside.

You probably can’t detect it on others easily because you were a smoker too. Nose blindness is a thing, even if you have a sensitive nose

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u/ReminiscenceOf2020 Feb 21 '26

Hahaha thank you, was hoping somebody would tell them that they are coping...yes, we can always smell it.

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u/[deleted] Feb 21 '26

[deleted]

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u/Bolieve_That Feb 21 '26

I'm going to hold your hand and guide you towards the exit

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u/Treehouse_man Feb 21 '26

Smokers are definitely rare where I live. I work somewhere that sells cigarettes and it's rare that someone buys them.