We moved into a great neighborhood last year... lots of kids and nice neighbors. Our next-door neighbors on one side are a family of 5 smokers. Our properties are very close together; when someone smokes outside, it wafts into our home. I can smell it all through the house. What can I say to them? We have 2 young kids, ages 2 months and 2 years. I don't want to have to keep our windows closed all the time, I don't want to subject my kids to second-hand smoke, but I am not so unreasonable as to see that smokers should be able to light up in their own backyards. Is there any way to compromise? We're not protected by any tenant laws as we are all homeowners. They have been nice to us, but I also don't want to anger them. We plan on living here for a long time, and it sure would be rough sharing a fence with people who are mad at you! Help!
2007-03-30 09:43:17 · 19 answers · asked by mornia 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
A person's own home is one the last bastions of personal freedom we have these days. People are told what they can and cannot do or say all day long. Just as you likely feel that their smoke is an assault on your personal space, I can guarantee that they will feel even more strongly about any comment you might make to them about changing their behavior while behind the safety of their own "walls" (including the yard). Not only are they probably feeling persecuted as smokers and very sensitive about the subject as it is, but you are also dealing with an addiction. They might respond courteously to your request but there is the potential for resentment to build towards you . The discomfort caused by their smoking will pale in comparison to the discomfort you will feel if you find yourself in a feud with your next-door neighbors.
You might buy a very strong window fan that directs the air out. Find a combination of windows that will direct the smoke that comes in out of a window that does not pass directly across areas where you spend more time. It might help minimize the amount of odor and clear the smoke faster once they are finished.
2007-03-30 10:53:41 · answer #1 · answered by Sullivan 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should buy an air purifier and close the windows on that side of your house. There is not much you can say to keep
someone from smoking in thier own house. If I was your
neighbor I would probably tell you to get lost. Maybe you
should move if it bothers you that much
2007-03-30 09:54:07 · answer #2 · answered by Bill Brasky 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Not so unreasonable?????
What happens when your neighbor complains about the smell of dirty diapers? Will you move then? Will you keep the windows closed? Will you sit down with your 2 month old and explain they must use the toilet from now on, so as to keep from offending the neighbors?
Here's a tip for you...BUY a *&&^ A/C and close the windows !!!
BETTER YET...buy a gun and shoot yourself !
2007-03-30 09:57:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
Fozzie is right. The whole second-hand smoke issue is bogus.
I hate hearing screaming children when I'm sitting outside trying to read a book or just enjoy the outdoors. Can I create a law demanding that you not let your children disturb me? I mean, the stress that they cause to your neighbors is harming their health. Stress is very, very bad for your health. THAT is a proven fact.
Maybe you should learn to accept others as they are instead of trying to change the world so that you never have to tolerate anything or anyone that is different than you.
.
2007-03-30 09:56:51 · answer #4 · answered by Spanky 2 · 5⤊ 3⤋
I would recommend you put a fan or something on your side that blows the smoke back over the fence. While the smell of smoke can be offensive, to me children in the neighborhood are just as offensive. So I wouldn't want either of you for my neighbor.
2007-03-30 09:49:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 3⤋
If living near smokers was going to bother you this much, you really should have checked out all of your neighbors before you bought the house.
You have no right to tell people what to do in their own yard. If your BBQ grill offends the vegan next door, should you not be allowed to cook outdoors?
Where do you think this kind of intolerance ends?
2007-03-30 09:53:51 · answer #6 · answered by Dboy 2 · 8⤊ 2⤋
Get them one of those ashtrays that pulls the smoke in and puts it through a filter as a gift, when you go to talk to them about it! Or maybe they could smoke in the garage or on the other side of the house. Good Luck!
2007-03-30 09:50:08 · answer #7 · answered by wish I were 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Quite frankly, I'm sure there are lots of times that your children are bothering them. Do you really want to start this war?
Close your windows on that side of your house if you really think you can even smell their smoke.
2007-03-30 09:52:05 · answer #8 · answered by Robby216 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Go over to your neighbor and tell them what you've written here. You aren't being unreasonable in your request and your neighbors could be very open to your plight. You might be able to reach some sort of compromise. There might be another spot in their yard which doesn't cause as much smoke to come your way.
2007-03-30 09:48:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 4⤋
The only thing you can really do is ask them nicely if they would smoke somewhere else. You have no legal right to tell them what they can and cannot do on their property.
2007-03-30 09:47:48 · answer #10 · answered by msi_cord 7 · 9⤊ 1⤋