Until our lives get in order, my husband, 2 year old son and I are living with my husband's parents. They need some help with bills and housework, since my FIL received a head injury last March (no brain damage but severe chronic pain) and has been unable to work, so the whole situation is a positive from both families' standpoints. It was a workers comp injury so my FIL is only now beginning to even get pain relief because of the stupid system.
Anyways, he's a smoker. He smokes this horrible smelling tobacco in a pipe, but not how most pipe smokers I know do it. He smokes tiny amounts, not a whole pipeful, almost like a cigarette's worth. He smokes anywhere from 1-5 times an hour.
Since my son is in the house, he smokes out in the garage. But being a sensitive smeller and allergic to the smoke, I can smell the reek follow him in and I literally have to cover my nose (discreetly so I don't hurt his feelings) if he walks by, and leave the room if he stays (I get nausea and headaches from the smell alone). I can smell the smoke smell when anyone goes out to the garage and the air comes into the room. And unless the garage door is opened regularly, I can't stand to stay in it without holding my breath. I can also taste it on food that isn't sealed properly (an extra refrigerator and most of the pantry is out there).
I have come to grips with my problem with his smoke. But lately my concerns have been growing. He has been plagued with increased allergies, which he blames on everything from dust mites to environmental hazards. He's been having sinus problems and horrible coughing fits. Tonight he was coughing so hard in the living room that it woke my son up (I plan on purchasing 2 white noise generators when we have the money for our rooms). Every time he coughs I worry about him more and more.
I realize that it isn't my place to butt in, but I am truly concerned for the entire family. I know that the exposure to the smoke has been making me sick. I also know from a couple of studies that our son and the whole family are suffering negative consequences since smoke particles (and therefore toxic chemicals) can drift in with the smoker, meaning there is only a minor benefit from smoking outside.
About the only thing stopping me is my concern not to be rude, but also that he's got severe chronic pain to worry about and that the side effects from stopping smoking would probably be incredibly difficult at this point. I've noticed a direct correlation between how bad he's hurting on a particular day and the frequency of his smoking.
I just have a hard time understanding how a man that takes a dozen different types of supplements for his health, is a reiki master, and is well versed in alternative medicine can be so blind to what his smoking may be doing to him.
If I were an unfeeling person, I could easily play the "you're hurting your grandson" card, because he is, but I won't. I sincerely wish I could because it might be the only thing that would get him to stop. All I would have to do is print out the 2 studies I have (and maybe find more) because he probably thinks smoking out there is okay. I'm the only one in the house that can smell the smoke trail he leaves, even when he gets to the back of the house.
*sigh* I don't know what to do. Maybe I just needed to vent here, but I'm at a total loss. I don't feel that I can say anything and especially until after he starts getting more treatment for his pain. And in the meantime, he's coughing his lungs out, I'm covering my nose with my shirt almost every time he's in the room (or hiding in our room), and my son may be exposed to toxic chemicals that could be avoided.
Any comments, opinions? Am I being a horribly insensitive person who worries too much? Should I say something to anyone? I have discussed this with my husband, who agrees with me, but he doesn't want to rock the family boat (and besides the FIL has smoked all my husband's life).
