I'm an RN and I'm a little puzzled by the claim that because smoke is an "irritant" it's "medically impossible" to be allergic to it. My understanding is that you can be allergic to just about anything. My cat had allergy testing and he's allergic to cat epithelia, if you can imagine - I would have thought THAT was medically impossible, but obviously it's not. Just curious.

Have an allergist in the house. It is ENTIRELY possible to be allergic to tobacco -- it is, in fact, a recognized allergen. The question DebbieAllen thinks she's answering is whether you think the allergen will be delivered in smoke form or not. Answer again: yes, and if you don't think so, go stand next to a bonfire of poison ivy and see what happens.

Some things are universal irritants -- chlorine gas, e.g. -- and everyone has a problem with it. Other things are variable from one person to the next -- some people react more strongly to cigarette or cigar smoke than others, and guess why? Could it be because they are allergic to what's being burned?

But even more important, what the heck difference does it make with respect to hospitality? Irritant? Allergen? Either way, it's a discomfort for the guest, who ought not to have to deal with it. And as to "faking" an allergy to ramp up the strength of the argument that one MUST have a non-smoking room? Why should anyone be put in the position of HAVING to argue about it? If you've gotten into the situation where a guest feels called upon to strengthen their argument, that must mean you are arguing. Bad move.

Soccr -- thank you. My sentiments exactly!

Thanks soccr - I have asthma and smoke over a long period of time (like in a hotel room) can be life threatening too me. Your info was great.