neighbors smoke outside and it is filling my house

[aristocatz]

I'm right there with you. Smoking isn't allowed in our apartment building, so the couple downstairs (the only ones in our building who smoke) will go out on the front steps and sit there and smoke. It drifts right up into our living room and bedroom. It is disgusting and worst is when they're out there in the middle of the night and I wake up coughing. I refuse to spend the summer with my windows closed.

I just wish these people were a little more considerate and would move away from the front door. That is the other problem - the front steps are all of about 2 feet wide and they sit out there so often that if you're coming or going, you have to wait for them to move off the steps - grabbing the pack of cigs, lighter and the wine glass - and then make your way through the cloud of smoke.

As soon as I start to smell the smoke coming in my house, I grab the can of Febreeze Air Effects and I spray it against the screens of my apartment. I've been doing that the last few weeks and hubby and I both agree that it really seems to be working. Granted, we have to do it every time, but once we spray, the only thing we smell is the Febreeze which is a nice flowery (but not overpowering) scent. We keep praying they will move.

Wow, that's awful. Have you checked your lease or with your landlord to see if they are required to be a certain amount of feet away from the front door to smoke? Some landlords include that in their lease.

We lived in an apartment building in the city at one point and we always used to move to the sidewalk or go for a walk when we needed a smoke. If they are nice, you might want to ask them if they wouldn't mind stepping away from the front door so the smell doesn't gt into your apartment. Many people are actually very willing to accomodate if you ask nicely-I know I would be!

 

[aristocatz]

So in my case, I think you have to pick your battles...we love the location of the apt, love the top floor (you can see the San Gabriel Mtns all winter with their snow covered tops, and we can see the fireworks from Disneyland every single night) and love the fact no one is around us. We just have to deal with it.

Wow-DLR fireworks every night??? That's totally worth a little cigarette smoke from time to time!! I'm so jealous!

 

[mlynn]

Place a box fan in your window facing out. So the air pulls from the house.(giving you a nice breeze in your house) Butalso blowing hte smoke back out.

 

[phorsenuf]

The OP said they are smoking in the yard as well. and the workers at the store next to her are smoking.

I wouldn't go the "neighbors war" route and play the annoying music. If it's played too loud, they could call the police for disturbing the peace. Otherwise, you are just going to create enemies & ruin your summer even more.

Unfortunately, your neighbors do have every right to be out there smoking. They are not doing anything wrong in the eyes of the law, and I'm sure they are not intending to bother you. Many people smoke outside and it is encouraged and required at most businesses to go outside to smoke.

If you cause a rukus with them, you are the only one who is going to
look like the troublemaker-NOT them.

You could try asking them politely if they wouldn't mind refraining from smoking right below your bedroom window & everywhere else would be fine. Tell them you are allergic to smoke and you are having trouble sleeping. They might agree to that (I'm a light smoker and I personally would agree to it if you were polite about it), but they might not and they have every right to do so.

It's a tricky situation & I feel for you. But just remember that they are well within their rights and playing annoying music or doing something to bother them is only going to cause added grief to your already compromised summer.

But she's not allergic to it, it's an annoyance. Big difference there. Guess that's why we see so many smoke allergies. Let's just lie and say its an allergy when it's really not, then we'll get our way.

Hate to say it but I think that's why so many people roll their eyes around here about smoking debates.

OP this was not directed towards you at all but for the comment bolded above.

Maybe you could just explain to the new owner what's going on and he could then speak to future tenants about it.

 

[Boo'sMom]

Was thinking along the line of NotUrsula - but maybe just a regular fan. If you had a fan and it was pointing out of the window, blowing smoke and air away from the opening would that possibly work?

Place a box fan in your window facing out. So the air pulls from the house.(giving you a nice breeze in your house) Butalso blowing hte smoke back out.

yep, this is what I'd do too.

 

[donald&daisy]

I would go the fan route as well. If this a problem that is interefering with the use and enjoyment of your property then speak to a lawyer about a nuisance action. However, the judge will be hard pressed to form an injunction to prevent your neighbors from smoking, perhaps you could speak to the neighbor about splitting the cost of some sort of air purifier.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

You know, I saw something just the other day that would go a long way to solving your problem: a household mister fan.

I would fill up the reservoir, point it OUT the window and use it any time the smoke starts drifting in. If questioned, explain that the water is the only way to weigh down the smoke enough to keep it from drifting in through the window.

Eventually, they will get tired of smoking in the rain.

I like this idea! I may buy one of these for work!

 

[Tiggeroo]

These are two separate homes. There's is divided into three floor units with a business on the bottom. I am in a two floor building that is separated into condos. Their lease doesn't effect me. Their landlord is the one telling the tenants they can park in my lot. He actually took all of my no parking signs down and we are currently dealing with that. He's not very easy to work with. To approach the tenants would mean seeing a different group every week. I love the fan idea. I will try that this week. I would think it would work. Unfortunately my bathroom is attached to my bedroom and I think it is coming in these two windows. I don't think I can put a fan in the bathroom.
I am not used to having neighbor problems. We tried compromising over the parking and being nice. They pushed and pushed until we gave up and dealt with it through the police. And there is no doubt here we are clearly in the right. I keep telling myself it's only for the summer. I live three blocks from the ocean and boardwalk. I have a gorgeous giant deck that you can see the boardwalk from. I love my home and don't want to move so hopefully it will work out.
PS - I do have a problem with smoke. I have asthma that is severely affected by it. I have had to get up in the middle of the night and use my inhaler, which I have never had to do unless I am sick.

 

[LoraJ]

I really feel for you.

Where I used to live, someone would smoke in t heir backyard and it would drift into our living room. We'd have to close all the windows. It was so annoying.

Do you have a condo association that you are dealing with these issues? I can't believe the landlord took down the parking signs. If you have bylaws, see if there are rules he is violating.

 

[kelleigh1]

But she's not allergic to it, it's an annoyance. Big difference there. Guess that's why we see so many smoke allergies. Let's just lie and say its an allergy when it's really not, then we'll get our way.

I think I actually have developed an allergy to it. No, a doctor hasn't diagnosed it as such, but I grew up in a house where both my parents smoked - and I mean a lot. I didn't like it, but it never affected me the way it does now. There's a burning sensation in my nose that I can't really explain and my eyes start to burn and water. And sometimes I get headaches. It's pretty awful!

 

[aristocatz]

But she's not allergic to it, it's an annoyance. Big difference there. Guess that's why we see so many smoke allergies. Let's just lie and say its an allergy when it's really not, then we'll get our way.

Hate to say it but I think that's why so many people roll their eyes around here about smoking debates.

OP this was not directed towards you at all but for the comment bolded above.

Maybe you could just explain to the new owner what's going on and he could then speak to future tenants about it.

Umm....I'm not sure that my post or opinion is the reason for the ridiculous smoking debates you see on the Dis, considering I was the first in this thread to point out that those smokers were doing nothing wrong & the best thing to do is communicate, instead of starting neighbor wars as another person suggested. I am all for compromise-coming to a happy medium between smokers vs. nonsmokers, being a smoker myself.

ETA: Looks like the OP does have a health issue that is affected by smoke after all...

OP: I'm sorry you are dealing with these neighbor issues & I hope they get worked out soon.

 

[merryweather20]

The OP is entitled to quite enjoyment of her home. There was a case here recently where someone had to cut down beautiful old pine trees. The problem? Their neighbours thought it made their yard too shady, so they sued and won. I was pretty ticked off to hear about the suit ( I love old trees ) but honestly if I was sitting on a jury for this, the OP would win. The smoke is coming over to her yard (The trees were staying in their yard minding their business). I used to work with a smoker, she of course couldn't smoke at work, but just sitting next to her smelling that horrible smell all day was miserable Honestly I've worked with people that smelled horrible, and one that smelled violently of curry and none of it was never a big deal, until the smoker lady.

I doubt the OP is going to take a shot at them like this though (I'd chip in $50 for your legal fees if you do ).

Several other posters said not to play music, because it might bother the smokers... Well she is bothered by the smoke, if they are allowed to light small smelly fires on their property she can certainly play music that's at an appropriate level for the town, or hire 85 year old men in speedos to do her gardening, invite some gassy friends over for a chilli cook-out, whatever works.

 

[kelleigh1]

mmmm....I work at a law firm. Maybe I should sue too. ;-)

 

[C.Ann]

It sounds like you have a beautiful home - near the beach no less - - but unfortunately, this is the result of the push for making all indoor areas non-smoking.. The only place left for smokers to smoke is "outside".. As long as they aren't doing anything illegal (such as smoking pot) and the owner of the buildings allows this activity, your only option is to move..

You can make a polite request - that they move further away from your windows - but smokers have been so limited in regards to where they "can" smoke, don't be surprised if your request is met with resistance.. Until smoking is made illegal everywhere, non-smokers are just going to have to find a way to deal with the current laws that they pushed so hard for.. Unfortunately, sometimes things like that can backfire when people don't look at the long term consequences..

Hopefully you can find a solution that will make everyone happy..

 

[aristocatz]

It sounds like you have a beautiful home - near the beach no less - - but unfortunately, this is the result of the push for making all indoor areas non-smoking.. The only place left for smokers to smoke is "outside".. As long as they aren't doing anything illegal (such as smoking pot) and the owner of the buildings allows this activity, your only option is to move..

You can make a polite request - that they move further away from your windows - but smokers have been so limited in regards to where they "can" smoke, don't be surprised if your request is met with resistance.. Until smoking is made illegal everywhere, non-smokers are just going to have to find a way to deal with the current laws that they pushed so hard for.. Unfortunately, sometimes things like that can backfire when people don't look at the long term consequences..

Hopefully you can find a solution that will make everyone happy..

Well said!

 

[Mary2e]

I have neighbors on 3 sides who use their chimenia almost every single night because it's really effective at keeping mosquitos away when they are on their decks or in their pools.

I'm used to keeping my windows shut in the early evening until the fires go out.

One of the neighbors goes out there in the middle of winter to enjoy the fire and even with everything closed, I can sometimes smell it.

This is really no different. Smoke is smoke and there isn't much anyone can do about it.

 

[shellybaxter]

OP: please don't ask for trouble by intentionally pissing off your neighbors. I can pretty much garuntee you it is just going to make the situation worse & morally, you are going to be in the wrong, not them. Try to politely ask them about refraining from being under your bedroom window. I'm sure you can come to a compromise and meet halfway on this one if you are polite about it.

I agreed with your entire post - except the bolded part. Legal and moral are two different things. Morality is defined as "The quality of being in accord with standards of right or good conduct." While I agree the OP would not be acting morally if she purposefully tried to upset the neighbors. The neighbors will not be acting morally if they continue to smoke where the smoke will bother the OPs health. They will be within their legal rights - but I would not consider that kind of behavior as moral

 

[Tiggeroo]

I have no plans to play loud music or do anything rude. I'm just looking for a peaceful way to deal with it. If the homeowner was nice I could approach him. If the tenants didn't change every week I would approach them. I'm going to try the fan. I had gotten rid of the smell by washing all of my bed linens but it's back now. I was up last night short of breath again and coughing this morning. I understand smokers have rights. But this is a building where smoking is permitted. These people are choosing to smoke outside instead because they don't want the smoke in their house.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I didnt' go thru all 3 pages, just the first one. But, I sympathize with you. I hate when I'm stopped at a traffic light, and I can smell the smoke from the car in front of me. I must have a very good smeller...lol

The OP said they are smoking in the yard as well. and the workers at the store next to her are smoking.

I wouldn't go the "neighbors war" route and play the annoying music. If it's played too loud, they could call the police for disturbing the peace. Otherwise, you are just going to create enemies & ruin your summer even more.

Unfortunately, your neighbors do have every right to be out there smoking. They are not doing anything wrong in the eyes of the law, and I'm sure they are not intending to bother you. Many people smoke outside and it is encouraged and required at most businesses to go outside to smoke.

If you cause a rukus with them, you are the only one who is going to
look like the troublemaker-NOT them.

You could try asking them politely if they wouldn't mind refraining from smoking right below your bedroom window & everywhere else would be fine. Tell them you are allergic to smoke and you are having trouble sleeping. They might agree to that (I'm a light smoker and I personally would agree to it if you were polite about it), but they might not and they have every right to do so.

It's a tricky situation & I feel for you. But just remember that they are well within their rights and playing annoying music or doing something to bother them is only going to cause added grief to your already compromised summer.

I agree...just ask politely. Mention the smoking right below your bedroom window... If they are decent people and you are nice about it, I'm sure they'll try to stop offending you with the smell...

I agree with PPs - it's all about how your approach them. If you haven't already, start getting to know the smokers - stop and chat and establish some rapport with them. Then maybe if you ask nicely and they like you they will smoke somewhere away from your bedroom.

I really feel for you OP. I hate cigarette smoke too.

I know that sucks, but really there is not much you can do about it. There arent doing anytihng wrong or illegal. And my husband smokes - only outside - and does it right by the door and our house never smells like smoke, so I am amazed it can travel up to your windows and make your sheets smell. Must be some powerful cigerettes!

When my DBF smoked, he went outside..only if he was by my bedroom window could I smell it, but otherwise, I only smelled it when he came back in...

 

[Best Aunt]

I'm going to stay out of the how-to-make-them-stop part of the discussion, and comment on the how-to-breathe-easier part of the discussion.

You might consider buying an air purifier (or they might be called "ionizers") for your bedroom.

I used to live in an apartment, and the person who lived in the next apartment smoked. I found that an air purifier helped. You want one with a HEPA filter. I've had good luck with the Honeywell brand. You can get them online and in stores.

You do NOT want an ionizer. Those are the tall, tower-shaped ones. Some people with allergies find that the ionizers make them feel worse.

Even if your neighbors stop smoking, you might want to get an air purifier. They help a lot with breathing at night.