Do you think this is appropriate for the workplace?

I work in a call center that has about 20 employees ranging in age from about sixteen to seventy. On an average night, there may only be about 12 people on the phones. It’s a laid back environment, with no dress code. We call voters to do public opinion surveys.

There is an older man who has worked there for a few years. While he’s on the phone, conducting surveys, he chews tobacco. He swallows his spit, rather than spitting it out, so there is little to no attention brought to him by chewing.

Awhile back, a younger guy got hired, who started chewing as well. Only he would spit into a cup that sat on his desk.

Someone complained about it being gross and the possibility of his spit cup spilling. So, as a supervisor, I ran it by my boss, who had me tell both men that they were no longer allowed to chew at work.

The younger man ended up quitting, and now the older man is back to his chewing.

I personally think that this is completely inappropriate for the workplace. I’ve brought it back up to my boss as well as the other supervisor, and they aren’t concerned. They feel that it doesn’t distract him any more than eating would, and since he doesn’t spit, there aren’t any more sanitation issues.

I look at it as, you aren’t allowed to smoke a cigarette or drink alcohol in the office, so why would one be allowed to chew? We get a break every two hours. I would think he could wait it out.

I might be totally overreacting, but before I bring it up at work again, I’d be interested in what your opinions would be.

Has anyone had a similar experience?