Posted by Patricia

I’m not the type of person who complains about everything. In fact, I try to be understanding because I know that delivery drivers go through a lot. But this situation right here has gotten out of hand. I just got my groceries delivered through Uber Eats, and once again, my bags smelled like cigarette smoke. And when I say “smelled,” I mean it was strong—so strong that it clung to the plastic, the paper, and even seeped into my food.

Let me start by saying this: I am not a smoker. Never have been, never will be. I also have severe allergies. I’m the kind of person who can barely wear perfume or use scented lotion without breaking out or having to reach for my allergy spray. I deal with seasonal allergies, sinus flare-ups, and sensitivities to just about anything you can think of—perfumes, body butters, cleaning sprays, and yes, smoke. So when my groceries come smelling like an ashtray, it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a health issue.

The part that frustrates me most is that Uber Eats doesn’t seem to have any policy addressing this. I mean, think about it. If someone is delivering food or groceries, shouldn’t the car be clean, smoke-free, and odor-free? That’s basic food handling etiquette. When I spend my money to have my groceries delivered, I expect them to arrive in the same condition they left the store—clean, fresh, and untouched by someone else’s bad habits.

I know there are going to be people who say, “Well, it’s their car, they can do what they want.” Sure, I get that. But when your personal habit starts affecting the service you’re providing and the product that customers are paying for, that’s where the line should be drawn. It’s no different than working in a restaurant—you wouldn’t want your cook taking a smoke break and coming back to handle your meal without washing up, right? So why should a driver be allowed to smoke in the same vehicle where my food or groceries are sitting?

The smell of smoke doesn’t just stay in the air—it lingers. It gets trapped in the upholstery, the vents, even on their clothes. So when a driver lights up before a delivery, that smell doesn’t disappear. It rides right along with your groceries, filling your bags and seeping into everything. By the time I bring the items inside, my whole kitchen smells like smoke. And trust me, once that smell gets into anything—especially food—it’s hard to ignore.

There have been times I’ve had to throw things away simply because I couldn’t stand the odor. Imagine paying for groceries and having to toss them because someone couldn’t wait until after the delivery to light up. It’s not fair, and it’s not professional.

I really believe Uber needs to do something about this. They have all kinds of rules for drivers—background checks, car inspections, safety standards—so why not add a rule about maintaining a smoke-free vehicle during active deliveries? It’s not about judging smokers; it’s about respecting customers who don’t want their food contaminated by odors or potential allergens.

Even if Uber doesn’t make it a hard rule, they could at least give customers the option to select “non-smoking driver preferred” when placing an order. It’s no different from choosing a specific delivery instruction or temperature preference. That way, people like me who are sensitive to smoke could have a bit of peace of mind knowing their delivery won’t come reeking of cigarettes.

I’m tired of quietly putting up with it. I’ve ignored it before, thinking maybe it was just a one-time thing, but it keeps happening. And the more it happens, the more I realize that Uber needs to be aware that this is a real issue. People deserve to have food delivered without having to worry about secondhand smoke clinging to it.

I don’t want to sound like a “Karen.” I’m just someone who values quality, health, and respect. If we’re paying good money for a service, it should come with good standards. Uber Eats, please step up—because the last thing anyone should have to deal with is groceries that smell like a pack of cigarettes.