Secondhand Smoke Is a Form of Bullying

We’ve talked for years about banning smoking in public spaces. But aren’t streets, subway exits, office hallways, and emergency stairwells also public?
Every time I walk through these places, I find myself surrounded by clouds of secondhand smoke. And anyone who has dealt with the same issue will understand—it’s not being “sensitive,” it’s simply real.

01 Living With Secondhand Smoke Every Day

The moment I catch even a faint trace of cigarette smoke, my whole body reacts like an angry bird: feathers bristling, neck stretched out, eyes wide.
But on the outside, all I can do is sigh—because I know I’m powerless in that moment.

At my workplace, the smoker is our boss. And honestly, the most hidden form of workplace bullying isn’t stealing credit or cold-shouldering coworkers—it’s the boss filling the office with secondhand smoke.

We’ve tried everything to protect ourselves. We moved our desks to the farthest corner of the room, kept small fans blowing in our direction, wore double masks—medical on the outside, KN95 underneath.
But the smoke still gets everywhere. It clings to your clothes, your hair, and more importantly, your lungs.

At first, we tried bringing it up politely and indirectly. He responded in a meeting by saying he was under heavy pressure and needed a cigarette to stay awake.
A colleague later whispered, “For him to stay clear-headed, we’re paying the price.”

Once, he asked me into his office. I held my breath for as long as I could. Maybe he noticed how uncomfortable I looked, because he suddenly said, “I’ll quit smoking starting tomorrow—for everyone’s health, including mine.”

I was thrilled. I told the whole team. But the next day, he clarified that he meant he would only refrain from smoking inside his office—he would go to the hallway instead.
By the third day, he was back to smoking at his desk as if nothing had happened.

If that isn’t a show of power—resistance is useless—I don’t know what is.

02 Why Secondhand Smoke Is a Form of Bullying

Secondhand smoke fits the definition of bullying perfectly: a stronger party imposing harm or unfair treatment on those with less power.
When someone lights a cigarette, everyone nearby is forced to inhale harmful substances, losing their right to clean air.

According to the World Health Organization, millions die prematurely each year because of secondhand smoke. Hundreds of thousands of them never smoked a cigarette—they simply lived or worked near someone who did.

In enclosed spaces like offices, even a few minutes of smoke exposure can negatively affect the cardiovascular system.
And while many public places display “No Smoking” signs, there are always people who choose to ignore them. The most frustrating part? There’s often no way to hold them accountable.
So we end up moving away to protect ourselves—creating more space for smokers, who then continue occupying the so-called “smoke-free” zones.

03 The Danger People Underestimate

Many smokers underestimate the damage they inflict—not only on themselves but on everyone around them.
Secondhand and thirdhand smoke accumulate quietly. It’s not like a punch that hurts immediately; it seeps in silently, damaging the body over years until symptoms finally appear.

As a society, we’ve become oddly tolerant of smoking. Yes, it’s a personal choice. But personal freedom shouldn’t come at the cost of someone else’s health. Respect only exists when it doesn’t harm others.

These days, the moment I hear a lighter click, I instinctively put on my mask. Sometimes the smell makes my heart race, and when my throat starts to burn, I feel myself bristle like that angry bird again.