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    emptynester's Avatar
    emptynester Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Sep 25, 2007, 09:03 PM
    Smoking Neighbors
    My huband and I like to have our windows open facing our backyard in the evening. When our next door neighbors go out on their patio and smoke, the smoke gets in our house and we end up having to close all the windows. I know they have a right to smoke in their backyard, but it's frustrating to have to close up our home, because of the TOXIC FUMES!! HELP!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
    bignaked101's Avatar
    bignaked101 Posts: 151, Reputation: 6
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    #2

    Sep 25, 2007, 09:38 PM
    There is pretty much nothing to do, unless you get an air purifier and put it directly in front of the window, and still that may not even solve the problem...
    RubyPitbull's Avatar
    RubyPitbull Posts: 3,575, Reputation: 648
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    #3

    Sep 26, 2007, 06:45 AM
    How is your relationship with your neighbors. Is it civil? Other than the smoking, are they approachable? Can you speak with them about it or will they get angry? There are products around called smokeless ashtrays. I have never seen them in use and can't give you a opinion as to their effectiveness, but of all the Smoke Eater products & Air Purifiers out there, they are the least expensive and should cut down on the amount of smoke wafting across the yard. You might want to consider buying one for your neighbors as a "present" and politely ask if they would be kind enough to use it when they are sitting outside, that you are not trying to cause problems and understand they have a right to smoke in their yard, but that the smell is getting into your house and this might help minimize the problem. Be as kind and polite as you possibly can be when discussing this problem with them. Here is a link that I found: Smokeless Ashtray

    I think it may be better and less costly to try to resolve the issue at the source rather than you making an attempt to control the odor coming through your windows. Good luck!
    bushg's Avatar
    bushg Posts: 3,433, Reputation: 596
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    #4

    Sep 26, 2007, 06:57 AM
    The smoke that comes from their mouth is still going to enter your house. I would take a fan sit it in the window where it blows air from my house out. That way their smoke can not come through your windows. Hope that makes sense as I do this when my hubby grills with charcol or has the fire pit going. I am a reformed smoker and hate any odor of smoke.
    bignaked101's Avatar
    bignaked101 Posts: 151, Reputation: 6
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    #5

    Sep 27, 2007, 09:12 PM
    It would be rather hard for a lot of smoke to get into your home though... I mean, I get the odor, it is damn near putrid, BUT as far as the smoke... I don't really know how far away your house is from your neighbors, but smoke rises... it doesn't follow a steady path... there shouldn't be that much smoke at all in your home (if there is any) maybe it is just the odor you are having problems with?
    KBC's Avatar
    KBC Posts: 2,550, Reputation: 487
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    #6

    Sep 28, 2007, 05:20 AM
    Any way you look at it,you might alienate yourselves from your own neighbors,
    Does the smoke REALLY cause you to take a step like causing a rift between the people you live next to,or is it something you might be able to find a better solution to,some trees and bushes have a better wind blocking capability,etc...

    Otherwise, some people might accept your call for a reasonable solution to the situation,and good neighbors are sometimes longterm friends from just a situation as this.

    Let us know how this works out for you,we're all interested,
    Ken
    emptynester's Avatar
    emptynester Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Sep 28, 2007, 05:08 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by bignaked101
    it would be rather hard for alot of smoke to get into your home tho... i mean, i get the odor, it is damn near putrid, BUT as far as the smoke... i dont really know how far away your house is from your neighbors, but smoke rises... it doesn't follow a steady path... there shouldn't be that much smoke at all in your home (if there is any) maybe it is just the odor you are having problems with?
    Thank you... Good point... it is the odor, as I don't see any actual smoke, just the PUTRID smell!! Our houses are pretty close. Their back patio where they sit outside is next to our patio and kitchen/great room windows. My husband has been away for the last week on business and thanks to all these great answers, I'm going to talk to him about which option would be the best.
    bignaked101's Avatar
    bignaked101 Posts: 151, Reputation: 6
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    #8

    Sep 30, 2007, 03:50 PM
    If it is just the odor, then maybe burning some inscents would do the trick maybe on the window sill where the odor of the smoke would come into your house, and the inscent smoke would go outside, while the good smell of the inscent will come inside. Just a thought.
    overseenpenguin's Avatar
    overseenpenguin Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Jun 18, 2010, 03:09 PM
    I am a smoker and for the first time I had a neighbor come and talk to me about the smoke entering into their apartment above me. I had no idea it was bothering them since I'm never up there when I'm smoking. I did greatly appreciate that came to me instead of sneaking around trying to find ways to either ban me from smoking altogether or sue me. Since they were open to come and talk, I was open to help. Conversation goes a long way when you approach it correctly. Don't get angry, accusative or passive-aggressive. If you come with an attitude, they most likely will give one back.

    Since they came to me about the issue, I wanted to find a solution that would work for both of us. I tried to search the internet and just found biases from both sides. A friend had suggested to set up a fan blowing away from both living areas, hold my cigarette up to the intake part and blow my smoke into the fan. I could watch the actual smoke being swept far away from the porches. This was a very cheap (Since I already had the fan) and seems to be effective.

    If your neighbors set up a fan that blows it away from both houses, it most likely will disperse before it could reach your house. I do hope this helps.
    myluke's Avatar
    myluke Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #10

    Oct 7, 2011, 12:11 AM
    We have the same problem.
    Ours has turned into harassment.
    They are not concerned with what they do.
    I go out into my yard or on my front porch & their smoke streams
    Into my space.
    The inside of my house fills with their smoke.
    I have to close doors & windows.
    Have air purifiers on.
    They know their smoke is bothering us but they don't care.
    It is not only the order but also the huge bellows of smoke.
    We used to smoke & have quit.
    If we would have known how bad it was for people around us
    That didn't smoke, well lets just say those people deserve an appoligy.
    The people next door to us do it on purpose.
    There are times my lungs hurt because of their addiction.
    As soon as they notice our windows open they light up & the
    Smoke pours into the window.
    They do the same when they know we are outsde.
    Don't just say it is the oder.
    My lungs are not hurting from the order it is the smoke.




















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