Yes I would as long as she didn't smoke in the house.

No. Speaking as a former smoker, if she can avoid smoking after showering and before work so that she doesn't smell of smoke when she arrives and then not smoke for a full 8 - 10 hour day, she can quit and it shows bad judgment that she hasn't. And if she can't - well that is your answer right there. I guess you'd never know if she was an occasional smoker, but I wouldn't choose a smoker if I knew. The smoke stays in your clothes and hair and your car and everywhere - and the dangers of second hand smoke are real.

Never. Ever.

Like others have said, second and third hand smoke are very real things.

If she has a cigarette in the morning and then doesn't shower after, there will be residue on her clothes, in her hair. It's poisoning your children. Even worse if she smokes in her home or in her car.

And those using perfume to "mask" it: it doesn't work. Also disgusting to douse yourself in that much perfume.

I smoke and I'm a nanny. I never smoke at work, on my way to work, or ever around a child. If I'm out in public during my time off, I won't even smoke if a child is nearby. It's a terrible habit and I'm trying to quit- but it's not easy. Not once has a family I've worked with ever asked me if I smoke. My clothes are clean, I smell nice, and what I choose to do when I'm off the clock is no ones business.

Would depend on age of kid. For a newborn/baby who will be held against her clothes a lot, no. I'd consider it for an older kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What if your nanny lived with a smoker. My parents smoked all growing up and I lived with them for several years during college during which time I nannied. I wasn't a smoker, but I smelled like smoke because I couldn't afford to live on my own and pay for college. Don't assume your nanny smokes just because she smells like smoke.

Hmmm.... NO. I'm sorry but wash your clothes!!
No excuse to be smelling like an ashtray if you don't smoke lol

Unless you've lived with a smoker, how would you know?

Anonymous wrote:What if your nanny lived with a smoker. My parents smoked all growing up and I lived with them for several years during college during which time I nannied. I wasn't a smoker, but I smelled like smoke because I couldn't afford to live on my own and pay for college. Don't assume your nanny smokes just because she smells like smoke.

Hmmm.... NO. I'm sorry but wash your clothes!!
No excuse to be smelling like an ashtray if you don't smoke lol

What if your nanny lived with a smoker. My parents smoked all growing up and I lived with them for several years during college during which time I nannied. I wasn't a smoker, but I smelled like smoke because I couldn't afford to live on my own and pay for college. Don't assume your nanny smokes just because she smells like smoke.

Anonymous wrote:Omg. These issues are endless.

People are just too much. That's why I love dogs better.

If she agrees not to smoke near your children/house, it's fine. You don't need to know what she does in her private, away from work. I know too many nannies that smoke and the families doesn't even know. She was honest with you and told you she does smoke.

Omg. These issues are endless.

Anonymous wrote:If she smokes while having a beer then "maybe" you'll consider it? As if any nanny would say "oh I smoke occasionally. When I drink I'll have a cigarette." In an interview? Get real. You need a reality check.

Well not like that. But they might say "I only smoke socially, at the occasional dinner or party, it's probably less than X cigarettes a month". Which in my opinion is very different from someone who needs to have one last cigarette right before they work, and another immediately after clocking out for the day.

Anonymous wrote:No, I would not hire a smoker. Shows poor judgment.

Agreed. I suppose some parents still smoke?

I smoked for several jobs and am pretty sure my bosses never knew. I never brought cigarettes into work and used perfume. Sometimes overnights were hard to get through without a cigarette, but i was way too paranoid to smoke on the job. I quit three years ago and am now upfront (and proud) about being a non smoker.

No, agree with PP who said second and third hand smoke are real things.

If she smoked so rarely or so secretly that I never smelled it, and she never disclosed the fact, I suppose that would be fine - how would I know, anyway? But never ever ever if I could smell it when she came to work.