Apple 'refuses' to repair machines smokers' Macs
Nicotine residue harms repair staff
By Carrie-Ann Skinner | PC Advisor | Published: 10:35, 25 November 2009
Apple is reportedly refusing to repair machines belonging to smokers because residue from cigarettes seeps into machines and creates a health risk for those fixing the Mac.
The Consumerist website claims it has received reports from two Mac users saing that Apple repair centres in the US have declined to fix machines under Applecare warranties, claiming that have been voided due to second-hand smoke.
"They informed me that his computer can't be worked on because it's contaminated," said one of the website's readers called Ruth.
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"When I asked for an explanation, she said he's a smoker and it's contaminated with cigarette smoke which they consider a bio-hazard! I checked my Applecare warranty and it says nothing about not honouring warranties if the owner is a smoker."
Both readers took the issue up with Apple's head office, but were still denied the reapairs under their warranty.
"[Apple did] advise me that nicotine is on OSHA's list of hazardous substances and Apple would not require an employee to repair anything deemed hazardous to their health," added Ruth.
Apple was unable for comment on the story.
