Smoke and mirrors
Apple reckons nicotine is on the US' Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) list of hazardous and toxic substances and will therefore not make its employees work on anything which could adversely affect their health.
This will, of course, come as something of a surprise to Greenpeace which writes on its website "why do Macs, iPods, iBooks and the rest of [Apple's] product range contain hazardous substances that other companies have abandoned? A cutting edge company shouldn't be cutting lives short by exposing children in China and India to dangerous chemicals."
So, a keyboard smudged by nicotine stained fingers is toxic, but factory workers abroad choking on the fumes of toxic plastic Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is OK? Can you say double standards, Apple? [Note: Apple did announce it would be phasing out its toxic plastic components by the end of 2009].
Also, Apple makes no mention of its anti-smoking stance when people buy its products, nor is it mentioned in the terms and conditions of the APP so, in principle, customers who have had their warranties voided could sue the firm for breaching its warranty contract.
Ehem, Apple. Or should we say; *cough, cough*.