Nonsmokers repeatedly breathe smoke-polluted air in various settings, despite the evidence demonstrating the deleterious consequences upon such passive smokers. The extent of exposure to environmental irritants during a 17-day baseline period was tested, and the efficacy of two simple behavioral strategies in reducing smoke were documented (requests to stop smoking, by nonsmokers to smokers, and avoiding being with smokers). While the tactics were efficacious, their use generated considerable negative as well as positive reaction. The first tactic, actively avoiding smokers, reduced rates of daily smoke exposure from 40 minutes to 29 minutes. The second approach, avoiding and confronting smokers (i.e., politely asking them not to smoke), succeeded in practically eliminating exposure to smoke. Although rates of smoking increased during the final baseline period, levels remained lower than the initial baseline and avoidance phases. (Author/LS)