Foul? N.H. Republican Proposes Fragrance Ban for State Workers

A New Hampshire Republican is tired of smelly state workers. Not the ones that smell bad, bur rather the ones that wear fragrances that others might be sensitive to.

"There's one in five persons who are sensitive to the chemicals that are in fragrances," Rep. Michele Peckham, R-North Hampton, told WMUR-TV.

Her proposed legislation would prevent state workers from wearing fragrances at work. He calls it a health matter that must be addressed.

Rep. Seth Cohn, R-Canterbury, disagrees with his colleague. "I think everyone knows when someone is wearing too much perfume, and we don't have to tell anybody it. The nose knows."

So does Rep. Pete Silva, R-Nashua.

"I know there are some people who are against having people wearing perfume, but some should wear more of it and we'd all be a lot better off," he said.

This isn't the first time a fragrance ban has come up. Last year, Framingham State University mulled a similar ban on perfume and cologne (and fragrances in general) on campus, and Nevada consider something similar for air fresheners and candles.

Speaker of the House Bill O'Brien has vowed to consider the measure "and see if we ought to legislate" the issue.