How to ask if parents are smokers?

I'm starting my interview process right now and due to a chemical/scent sensitivity I do not want to take children in from a family that smokes. I do not use scented products in my house and clean with mostly water and natural cleaners. I am curious if anyone else is concerned if the children you take in come from a "smoking" household? Can you legally ask potential clients if they smoke? I'm not sure how to tread those waters....

I have not asked this of parents before, but I have heard horror stories from other caregivers who have children coming to daycare reeking of cigarette smoke. This would bother me a lot. I think you have a right to ask whatever you want...it is your home and your business. I would just mention that you have a sensitivity to scents including cigarette smoke and that you unfortunately cannot accept children from smoking parents for this reason. Many parents ask the same of us.

When people come in for an interview, if they are smokers I know it. My throat closes up around smoke & really strong second hand smoke. But it's simple enough to pick up the baby to see if they smell of smoke or not. I have to admit that if the child reeked of smoke I would not be able to consider them as a client. That would bother me enough on a daily basis to make me unhappy.

However, I actually have 2 children in care who have a smoking parent. The children never smell of smoke, not even a tiny bit. I get the smelly parents in and out as fast as possible, they never come into my home very far, I have their children ready to go as their vehicle pulls into the parking lot. I don't have any problems.

This is a question you don't have to verbalize. Your nose will know!

I would never, ever accept a family who smokes in the house/car causing their children to smell. This is child abuse IMO. When I was a child my Dad smoked around myself and sibling because he didn't know any better. Now with all the research we know second hand smoke can cause a host of health problems to anyone exposed.
I have a couple of parents who do smoke and the only way I know is that they have mentioned it. I have never smelled a cigarette smoke on them, so I have no issue with that, other than I like them and would prefer they didn't for themselves.

So I would just tell interviewing parents that I have a smoke free home and if they have the habit, they must not smoke before drop off and pick up as the smell does linger and I don't want my other clients to think I have a smoker in the house. No judgements, just asking for courtesy.:)

Because it is due to a health issue rather than just a personal preference it is no different than a parent asking you if you have a dog or cat. When a person calls to set up an appointment I would just say something like I know this is not a question you will get a lot but due to sensitivities to scents including perfumes and cigarettes I need to be sure that families coming into care do not smoke, or use a lot of strong scented products. Because this is a health issue for me it is necessary that I find out this information before you come to my home rather than after you have arrived.

If a parent won't answer or doesn't take you seriously then leave it at that and move on because them lying just to get into your care serves no one.

I agree with @playfelt, if a parent doesn't answer your questions or does not take it seriously then you should leave it at that otherwise your credibility would be at stake for no fault of yours.

I have a child that just started with me last week and his clothes smell. Its sad that the parents smoke around their child. I find it hard to tolerate his playpen smells too! I was thinking on washing it outside.

This is my policy on scents/smoke, I have it posted on my website:

Due to a very serious allergy to most perfumes, fragrances, or cigarette/cigar smoke, parents and children may not enter the daycare at any time wearing any kind of perfume, after shave, lotion, scents or smelling of cigarette/cigar smoke.
PLEASE make sure your child does not have perfume or scents on them when coming to daycare. Please do not smoke around your child before bring him/her into care. If I notice a scent/smoke upon arrival we will request the child be taken home to remove the scent/smoke. If I notice scent/smoke after you leave, you will be called to pick up your child.
Parents are requested to avoid using scented detergents, lotions, or soaps on the child or the child's clothing.
Johnson and Johnson baby products and non-scented baby products are allowed.
Tide and Whisk are also okay for laundry detergents. If you can use the "Free" scented laundry soap it would be best.

I have one that never smells of smoke, but her backpack sure does. There are some days it smells up my entire front hall. It's not mom, it's dad. And I would have never known from the interview process as I didn't meet dad ahead of time.

I think this is a great question for the phone interview.

I would say something simple like this:

"We have a child in care that has a very strong allergy to scents. Can you tell me if there are any smokers in your home"

Just as parents have the right to ask if you smoke, you have the same right. Its a personal choice and nobody should be offended by it. I would just ask the question outright during your phone interview. If they are smokers and are offended it doesnt matter because you dont want them anyway and if they are non smokers, they wil appreciate how important it is to you.