Dear Queenie,
I have breathing problems that make it hard for me to be near people who smoke because the smell of tobacco smoke makes it hard for me to breathe, so I try to stay away from them.
But Queenie, what do I say when they ask me why? It would be rude to tell them it’s because of the way they smell.—Asthmatic
Dear Asthmatic,
If they ask why you are avoiding them, just tell them that tobacco smoke makes your asthma act up. Do not use the word “smell”.
