Neighbor's Smoking Is Ruining My Health Quickly?

Question

I've moved here a year and 1/2 ago, like my apartment and my neighbors, and am both physically and financially unable to make another move. I have asthma which usually doesn't bother me but over the past month, my upper respiratory tract is sick. My lungs are filling up with second-hand smoke wafting into my apt. from the balcony and bedroom window directly beneath me. The hallways wreak with smoke and it hits me as soon as I step outside my apt. I was careful to be tactful when I took the problem to my neighbor who immediately became hostile and defensive. I kept my cool while she told me to move. It gets really hot with windows and doors closed, I can't afford to run the A/C all the time, and it isn't healthy either. It's not the answer for me. I've an appt. to see a pulmonary specialist beginning of June. What is the answer to this problem

Answer 1

Sadly, there is no easy answer to this question. Your problem is obviously legitimate, but I can understand your neighbor's defensiveness as well. Smoking has been banned in most public areas, and smokers can be understandably defensive about what they do in their own homes. Regardless of the dangers of smoking, it's their addiction and their decision.

Unless yours is a smoke-free apartment building with restrictions agreed to when tenants sign the lease, there's nothing you or your landlord can legally do about it.

Moving may be your only option. If there's another apartment open in your building, your landlord might be willing to help you. Even your neighbor might be willing to help. But there's still a chance of having the same problem in another apartment if someone new moves in. Another apartment building with a layout that prevents anything from coming into the windows could be difficult to find, but worth a look. Renting a house with no other tenants would be the ideal situation, but from your description of your situation, not affordable.

Another option would be to see if there are any energy assistance programs available that would cover the added expense of running your AC. There are often such programs available to low income people with disabilities.

You could also try an air purifier in your apartment, but that's unlikely to help much with your windows open.

Good luck.

Answer 2

If the smoke is coming through shared vents maybe you could stop using the vent or fan and plug them up so smoke won't drift over to you. If it is a shared air condition or heating system then you are screwed unless you can live with out them. How about the attic? does it connect to the neighbor? I have seen places where you could crawl threw and go to the next place. I know. Stupid but that was old construction in some places and made it easy to steal from neighbor. I'm in USA Maybe you could make a better seal at the attic entrance if that is the case. If all else fails maybe a good air filter would help. Good Luck to you. I hope your neighbor moves or gets sick from smoking and has to be put in a nursing facility so you can breath.

Answer 3

The only real possibility I can see is for you to try and garner the support of your manager and/or landlord. See if you can get them to forbid smoking in enclosed common areas such as hallways, laundry facilities and lobby. This is not too much to ask.

Some states and communities already have such restrictions in place. Check it out, if they do, you have every right to have them enforced. If they don't, consider becoming a community activist to get an ordinance passed. There are many organizations that can help you with this.

If your apartment complex receives Federal Money or is Federally Subsidized it is possible that some federal laws or regulations already protect you and cover the complex.

For your open window issue, try placing a small fan on a table in front of it and pointed outward.This will help in keeping the smoke blown away from the window, not allowing it to enter your apartment. It will also keep the air moving and refreshed. You may need to adjust the speed for the best effect.

I smoke. I started again after six months of not smoking after my heart surgery in Oct. 2006. I also have COPD (Emphysema) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, hypertension and high cholesterol. I do sympathize with you.

I truly wish I could be more helpful.

Sincerely,
Terry

Answer 4

first of all, you have a pre-exsisting illness, so years of this has caused your health issues. second of all, close your window. you cannot make a person stop smoking while they are in their home or on their balcony.
believe it or not, your air conditioner might be an issue as well as previous smokers in your direct apartment. dust mites as well as other allergens from whoever lived there prior to you moving in all contribute to your issue. it is not single handedly from second hand smoke.

time to grow up and realize that all though someone may do something that seems to cause an issue, so does stress if you let it bother you. run your a/c on 73 or 74 and run a box fan. that way you are not inviting allergens that are known to aggrivate ashtmatics into your home. again. it's not just the smoke.

a valid truth is no matter where you go, what you breath is a part of life. you can't run from it no mattr if you could move or not.

good luck.

Answer 5

A practical solution would be to ask the landlord if you could move to a different apartment within the complex. It wouldn't cost you any thing. As for the physically unable to move you would have to get family/friends (maybe your neighbor?) to help you. And decide if the physical stress of moving would be worth being away from the smoke in the long run. And maybe get a downstairs apt this time.

Answer 6

Unfortunately, the landlord isn't going to be able to force the person to stop smoking in their home, unless they have some rule about it. What I would do is explain this to your landlord, they should be able to accomodate you by letting you move to another apartment in the complex. Just be nice, explain you have bad asthma and the smoke gets into your apartment and hallways. Ask them if you can move to another apartment. I'm sure they would let you.

Answer 7

get used to the heat or just move

Answer 8

move or get used to the heat.