Cigarette smoke seeping into my apartment?

Question

Help! I live in a walk-up building in NYC. I am on the second floor, and several people in the bulding smoke cigarettes - and the smoke is finding it's way into my apartment. I put up a note asking people to be conscious of their neighbors - and to please open their windows when they smoke (and it got torn down). I've put weather stripping around my door frame to try to keep in out. I even run an air purifier -but the smoke still gets in. I am easily irritated by smoke (my eyes burn and my sinuses get blocked up) and I just don't know what else to do! Any suggestions? Thanks!

Answer 1

You can't stop people from smoking in their own homes. If you get one of those ozone machines, it will eat up both the odors and carcinogens caused by smoking.

Answer 2

I hear you.
Here's how I dealt with the same problem.
I removed my baseboards carefully; then I duct-taped the cracks where the smoke was entering, then replaced the base-boards.
I removed the wall switch-plate covers and duct-taped the openings, then replaced the covers.
I did this for some of the light fixtures and every place where the smoke was getting in. At the door-way, you could make a folded newspaper wedge covered with duct-tape, to push under the door-crack. That keeps the door closed tighter and the smoke can't get under it. As for vents, duct-tape the ones you don't use, but leave the kitchen and bathroom ones alone.
Those "air purifiers" are just an expensive joke. If you have asthma or allergies, you need clean air to breathe, and that's that.

Answer 3

Since NYC is polluted by emissions from sources even more pervasive and invasive than cigarette smoke, you may not have an option. Air purifiers and keeping your windows closed are about the only solutions. I doubt that you would feel the effects of cigarette smoke from smokers on other floors, as far as the allergic reaction you seem to experience, more than the poor air quality of the city. Indoor plants can help clean the air inside of your apartment, so, if you have available lighting, that may be a consideration. Feel better.

Answer 4

You can complain to the landlord, but I don't think you will get far. You could call the EPA and make a complaint,but that might get you in more trouble. So I say Take a bowl and fill it with white vinegar, that will help remove the odor. change the bowl every 2 to 3 days. You could also Put fragrant candles in the sink, I don't like leaving candles around In case I forget, that's why I say in the sink. Hope it helped,,

Answer 5

I would speak with the building management because it sounds as though there is an issue with the heating or air coonditioning system and the smoke is coming through a shared vent with another apartment. This can be corrected.

Answer 6

If what Responder is suggesting does not solve your problem, you are on your own. I live in a condo and one of the owners here complained about a similar issue. The management company took care of it by splitting a venting pipe. Given that you are in an apartment, I doubt it that Management would have any insentives to take care of your problem.

Answer 7

You could get a good quality air purifier.

Answer 8

I agree with Responder. good ideas. I would also take off the furnace vents. add a filter to each and replace.(even a dryer sheet you can use to filter it out!!!

Answer 9

I would suggest some hardcore psychoogical therapy. You are imagining things. I would tear the note down too and light up while doing it.

Answer 10

Burn cigarettes in your own apartment like incense. You'll get used to them eventually. When you overload your system for a little bit, you body will not react to small amounts anymore. Suffer a little more for a week or two or suffer for the rest of your life.