Secondhand Smoke Issues

Gmtribble90

Hey everyone.

I wasn't sure where to post this, but I seriously need some advice...

Lately, I've been having serious issues with my family smoking around me. I went from living on my own to losing my job (due to layoff) and having to move back home until I get on my feet. Where I am, EVERYONE in the house smokes, except for me (I kicked the habit a few years ago). They bought e-cigs and bragged about being determined to quit all over Facebook, but I believe it was for the sole benefit of getting attention and praise, mostly because they are right back at smoking regular cigarettes and it has gotten worse. The issue I have isn't necessarily that they smoke, but that they refuse to smoke outside, even though the weather is actually beautiful now.

Here's where my issues are...

I have become a "couch sleeper" since the car accident I was in with my bf a little over two months ago, due to certain physical issues it caused and I experience discomfort in the particular bed I sleep on. I don't have the money for a different mattress, so it's just not happening. My family knows this. They also know for a fact that when I breathe in secondhand smoke, it highly bothers me (chest tightness, burning nose and eyes, and just an overall feeling of a combination of choking and drowning, along with not being able to breathe for a while even after the cigs are no longer lit). My mom still smokes around me, my stepfather actually smokes right next to me and the way he smokes, the cig is normally pointed in my direction, and my brother has gotten better about it, but still does it. With 3 people smoking at the same time in the same room all day, everyday, I constantly can't breathe and feel that "drowning sensation". Even worse, when I am asleep, I am awakened at 6 AM with a choking breath of smoke in my lungs, coughing, and burning eyes, due to my stepfather having his 3 or 4 cigs back-to-back while watching TV before work. With the way my chest has been feeling, I wonder if I may need to be checked out by a medical professional.

Now, I have asked my mom to stop and explained over and over that I need her to speak with my stepfather about the whole issue, but she brushes it off because "he will get mad and offensive". Well, I have tried dropping hints myself and he doesn't even take them into consideration, just keeps chain-smoking. I get the notion that neither of them really care that they are causing someone else a lot of physical discomfort and could be harming someone else's health.

Now here's where I ask for help. How can I deal with this in a better way and if I've been feeling ongoing chest discomfort, should I get checked out by a medical professional? How can I get rid of the feeling like I'm choking/drowning?

ninerbuff

Well unfortunately you're living in THEIR house. I get it's your lungs, but like going on a diet, it's your issue and not theirs. While you can REQUEST, if they don't agree, there really isn't much you can do but wear a mask or move out on your own once you can again.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

allotmentgardener

I'm a non smoker so I sympathise, but like the above post said - you are in their house and they can do what they want in their house. I certainly wouldn't listen to anyone telling me what I could or couldn't do in my own home.
If you feel your health is at risk I would definately try to get a place of your own least then you can lay down your own rules.