Chain smokes outside, begrudgingly. Comes in smelling like an ashtray. I'm so angry. She's 82, type 1 diabetes, has announced that she can't possibly quit smoking because she has had enough stress with the move. She had a small stroke which affected her vision, and some memory. I can deal with giving extra care, but the cigarette thing is the "elephant in the room."
I always find it interesting that smokers think that smoking outside that no one will smell the odor on them. Sadly that tobacco smell is also in ones lungs long after the cigarette has been put out, so every time a smoker exhales you will smell it.... the odor also comes through the smoker's pores.
Even if your Mom quits smoking, you will still smell it for quite some time :( As you already know any smoke on the clothes gets transferred to any piece of furniture she sits in, even the car. And any closet where she hangs her coat and any wearing apparel. Unless she washes her hands right after smoking, it will be on anything she touches.
Bet she refuses to believe that her smoking had caused her stroke.
My mom has her own place and smokes so much that I have to go home and shower and wash my clothing, even after visiting for a half-hour. Walls are stained, and everything just feels filthy, so I feel for you.
Could you maybe try the e-cigarettes for mom? Those at least don't stink. Maybe you could ease her into those?
Who is washing those smokey clothes?
Even nursing homes don't allow smoking. They can go outside (some) but generally they don't.