Smoking and second-hand smoke are dangerous. Smoking and second-hand smoke are especially dangerous when you work with toxic materials. There can be a "multiplier effect" – the toxin and cigarette smoke make each other much more dangerous. Common hazards which are much more dangerous when combined with cigarette smoke are aromatic amines, asbestos, coal, cotton dust, grain dust, ionizing radiation, pesticides, petrochemicals, silica, and welding materials.

Some states and local governments have laws which limit smoking in the workplace. There are often special rules which can help (or not) restaurant and bar workers.

If your state doesn't have a law that protects you, you may have protection from:
*OSHA is supposed to enforce your right to a safe workplace. Second-hand smoke is not safe. Unfortunately, OSHA's air quality standards usually aren't good enough to help with second-hand smoke. If there another toxic AND cigarette smoke in the air, OSHA's standards may help.

*Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) If you have a medical condition which cigarette smoke makes worse (like asthma, lung or heart disease), you can ask for changes so that you are not exposed to cigarette smoke (that's a "reasonable accommodation"). If you are a Federal worker, your protection is similar under the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

If you boss doesn't think second-hand smoke is a real problem, print out the "Legal Requirements to Protect Nonsmokers" in the Resource Box and show it to him. It lists all the possible problems  if a boss doesn't protect workers from second-hand smoke.

If there is a smoking area, find out how it is vented. Some buildings recirculate air, so even though smokers are in another room, the second-hand smoke circulates throughout the building. In general, it would be best if bosses would make a smoking room which vents directly outside, so that smokers could smoke, and everyone else could breathe.

Can they tell me I can't smoke at work? Yes, they can. Some states have laws protecting your right to smoke outside of work, but employers can always ban all smoking at work.