43% Mumbaikars will smoke out the boss

Startling survey by an anti-smoking NGO reveals employees won't hesitate to tell the boss to stub it out despite increasing job cuts

When jobs are at stake, it's best not to upset the boss. Yet, a survey by an anti-smoking NGO, shows that a large chunk of Mumbaikars draw the line at smoking. Forty-three per cent of those interviewed said they would show their seniors the door if they invaded their space with a cigarette in hand.

Two days before World No Tobacco Day (May 31), Salaam Bombay, which interviewed 2,000 respondents this February, said the other revelations were also a pleasant surprise. For example, 52 per cent of the respondents said they would ask a family elder to stop smoking or move away when lighting up around kids and 51 per cent would ask friends to leave a room.

Thrilled

"The argument is always going to be about the 57 per cent that won't do it, but we are thrilled with the results. They show that there is now an increased level of awareness of what passive smoking can do to you," said Seema Sood, CEO of Salaam Bombay.

Do it with tact

And for those who are apprehensive about taking a stand in front of colleagues or bosses, HR professionals assure there's nothing wrong in doing so as long as a certain degree of tact is employed.

Communicative

"You need to understand that not everyone will share your ideas, but that's no reason not to be assertive and communicative. If you have a meeting with your boss who smokes, you can politely let the senior know that the smoke bothers you, or suggest holding the meeting at a time when he is not smoking," said Arun Vishwanath, founder of Trainers Forum and an HR professional.u00a0

However, some Mumbaikars continue to remain sceptical. Bank employee Kumar Wadhwa (32) believes asking your boss to smoke somewhere else could be insulting. "If I had the opportunity to walk away, I would excuse myself and do that. I don't think I can confront my boss on this," he said.

2,000
The sample size of the survey (Male: 1,358 / Female: 554)

18-40
Age group of respondents

53
The percentage of employed respondents

33
The percentage of student respondents

14
The percentage ofu00a0 unemployed respondents