Next Door Neighbour Smokes - What to Do about Second Hand Smoke?

ankor on 25/01/2022 - 09:31
Last edited 25/01/2022 - 12:45 by 1 other user

I'm in a bit of a bind..

We're both owners of our own free standing homes. Old mate and his housemate sit out on their porch after a hard day's work, have a beer with their dog, then smoke for about 4-5 hours into the night. They tend not to go outside because hey, the porch is their common area and it's a nice setup which is raised a bit, overlooks a park and it's fairly tranquil. I can't ask them to smoke elsewhere because the only place they can go is their backyard or inside their house. In any event, it's their own free will and its their home. He's an otherwise great neighbour. The problem I have is that my place is downwind of his, so I inevitably get all of that second hand smoke smell in most of my house. I'm a non-smoker and all I can feel in my nostrils, is the acrid feel of the smoke. It's getting into bedroom, living room, study, kitchen and guest room.

If you've encountered a similar situation, what did you do that was effective in removing the second hand smoke smell?

Have other people tried baking soda, more activated charcoal, scented candles etc?

Keen to know what worked.

thanks

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 25/01/2022 - 09:32
    +15

    Close windows and use fans to direct smoke out of house?

    • ankor on 25/01/2022 - 11:45
      +10

      if I am blowing smoke out of the house with a fan, then won't this then create a vacuum in each room and draw more of the same outside second hand smoke into the rooms? I'd basically find myself back at equilibrium, with a cigarette smelling house again.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 25/01/2022 - 12:43
        -2

        put the fan at the window, blowing the wind away - obviously going to want to create a shield out of cardboard or something as fan wont be same size as window.

      • toomuchdogfur on 25/01/2022 - 14:47
        +10

        If all windows facing your neighbour are closed, I doubt you'll have this issue. If the smoke manages to travel all the way around to another side of your house, it would have dispersed so much that it's unlikely an appreciable amount would be sucked back in.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 26/01/2022 - 12:24
        +14

        If its such a huge issue then let them know and ask them politely to move elsewhere around their house.

        Op: excuse me, hi , just me, terribly sorry about the interruption to your life. I live next door, could I perhaps trouble you to consider to maybe not smoke down wind as it’s getting into my house and by extension, my lungs…

        Neighbour: get f’d

        • JH100 on 26/01/2022 - 14:04
          +2

          Upwind?

      • JH100 on 26/01/2022 - 14:17
        +2

        @Amayzingone

        I just left a share house where the primary leaseholder smoked, just me and him. (BTW, true story - he contacted me via my profile/ad that said in bold - NON SMOKER - and after I handed over the money to move in - 2wks + 2wks - he whipped out a fag and lit up.) Haha, gotta laugh. And I am an x-smoker - can't stand the stuff now.

        He then said he didn't smoke in the house but at various times through the day (I WFH) smoke would waft in to my space from his bedroom, or the garage. It came in from most wind directions at any time of day. I'm certain it hugged the walls until it found my windows. :-)

        The only sane response for me was to just accept it, not react emotionally. As to do otherwise would be to magnify the issue.

        I moved out after 3 months and have a great place on my own now, and no neighbours.

      • cookie2 on 26/01/2022 - 21:53
        +3

        I feel like you're the one creating drama here and so I say YOU should stop being a drama queen. Leave OP to ask their question. It's just a question, posed very reasonably. Up to you how you choose to perceive it tho.

  • MS Paint on 25/01/2022 - 09:33
    +10

    this is your lucky day

    I'm sure it will move across to houses eventually.

    • ankor on 25/01/2022 - 11:44
      +3

      Doubt this will be applicable. Any suburb where freestanding homes are side by side are getting closer to the 350sq - 550sq parcel. So I think that a lot of other people just grin and bear it. I just have a sensitive nose and my neighbour smokes a lot.

    • Chandler on 25/01/2022 - 11:45
      +3

      I'm curious what disability would stop a smoker who only has around a packet per week from smoking downstairs, but still allows them to choose to live in an eight-floor apartment.

      disputed she was a chain smoker, saying a packet could last her a week

      She also said she has a disability and "going downstairs to smoke is out of the question"

      • MS Paint on 25/01/2022 - 11:51
        +7

        Legless.

        From their other addiction - alcohol

      • abb on 25/01/2022 - 16:48
        +2

        I'm not saying this is the case, but it could be that the eighth floor apartment is cheaper than a ground level one, and any number of mobility issues could make it possible for them to leave the apartment occasionally but not able to do it many times per day.

        Most likely just a jerk…

    • MITM on 25/01/2022 - 16:04
      +7

      I agree with the ban - 2nd hand smoke is horrific to non-smokers.
      I'm surprised no one suggested using the bathroom for smoking with the extraction fan on, window/s and door shut for your fix.
      Body Corporate by-law should state smoking prohibited entirely within and without the building excluding mechanically ventilated bathrooms.

      • CMH on 27/01/2022 - 17:03
        +1

        And you actually think smokers care about these by-laws?

        I find that usually, if it makes it inconvenient for someone who smokes regularly (and it has to be someone who smokes regularly), they usually start not giving a toss about anything else. This includes any rules where smoking is prohibited (see hospital entrances, undercover bus stops, etc).

        I must say they at least aren't suicidal; yet to see someone light up in a petrol station.

    • cookie2 on 26/01/2022 - 22:01
      +1

      15 or so years ago, i used to say that one day, the only place you'd be allowed to smoke would be your own toilet, alone in a building without minors. Sadly this crazy saying is getting closer to becoming a reality. Don't get me wrong, smoking has horrible health impacts but thats not the point. OP, encourage your neighbour to quit 😁. Back windows open, front closed? Indoor plant that has a scent to it?

    • ankor on 25/01/2022 - 11:47
      +53

      Yes it is a free country, which is why my post is targeted at looking at ways to improve my home and enjoyment without affecting my neighbour.

      • Millikano on 26/01/2022 - 17:47
        +2

        If your house has ducted air conditioning, I would recommend looking at a hepa filter on the outside and return air grill to clean the air up before it enters, and even when it’s inside.

        You could look at air purifiers too, which will remove a lot of the smell.

        If you have room, putting in a thick hedge will help to push the smoke upwards before it hits your home.

        You could ask him about putting a screen up to keep the smoke from blowing your way, like one of the Bunnings louvred ones, if you feel like it would be well received.

        Lastly, if you get along well with them, you could ask if they’re keen to go for a walk, learn a bit about them. They might smoke because they love it, they’re stressed, bored, or out of habit. They might never want to quit, or they might.

        I’d like to thank you for demonstrating how respectfully and neighbourly you can work with the situation, and for being a great example.

      • cookie2 on 26/01/2022 - 22:03
        +2

        Don't worry, your post is fine and reasonable. Ppl just too quick to throw stones. Too much self gratification from it i guess.

    • smartazz104 on 25/01/2022 - 13:33
      -4

      Where do you live? Let's see how much smoke you can handle before you change your tune.

    • StalkingIbis on 26/01/2022 - 05:57
      +8

      Are we free to not have to second hand smoke or are we not a free country?

    • magic8ballgag on 26/01/2022 - 10:43
      +7

      Yikes, you've probably also said the country is full at some stage in your life.

    • picklewizard on 26/01/2022 - 12:38
      +21

      Did you know that if you rearrange the letters of your handle it says "king retard"?

  • Ryanek on 25/01/2022 - 09:46
    +1

    Sounds like a good opportunity to bring some steaks and join him.

    • ankor on 25/01/2022 - 11:48
      +24

      He has no bbq on the porch so he may in fact be an Al-Quada sleeper agent.

      • cktftw on 26/01/2022 - 10:09
        +2

        Cook him some bacon!

        • Plankton on 27/01/2022 - 13:47

          Sleeper agents are allowed to go against their religion in order to maintain their cover.

  • offthetap on 25/01/2022 - 09:48
    +7

    move to a cabin in the woods miles away from anyone else

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 25/01/2022 - 10:05

      This guy does a good forest house tutorial

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skcqFTi3s_A

    • Nugs on 25/01/2022 - 10:09
      +2

      Great B grade movie
      .

    • ankor on 25/01/2022 - 11:49

      Too many mosquitos. Also kind of halfway there, the house overlooks a decent park.

    • cashless on 25/01/2022 - 16:09

      Always back-burning in NSW, so woods are no good

    • JH100 on 26/01/2022 - 14:18

      I did …

    • tessel on 26/01/2022 - 15:39

      Then you are driving for miles and wasting time travelling and money on fuel etc. Wish it was that easy. Oh, yeah I guess the answer is just get a better job that allows you to work from home :-)

  • KaTst3R on 25/01/2022 - 09:51
    +10

    Introduce them to vaping.

    • yippy on 25/01/2022 - 13:07
      +6

      I'm all for vaping over cigarettes but it's much easier to smoke cigarettes than to vape since the new rules regarding nicotine came in October.

      • dmbminaret on 26/01/2022 - 09:41
        +11

        it's much easier to smoke cigarettes than to vape since the new rules regarding nicotine

        Ahh yes. Australia might be a 'free' country until it's is unsuitable to the government.

        I'd contact your federal MP and ask why you are being forced to endure second hand smoke rather than fruits and bubblegum smells.

        • Yamai on 26/01/2022 - 20:54

          Won’t some one think of the children!

        • BluebirdV on 28/01/2022 - 11:29

          Is that because of all the money they get in tax revenue?

      • Mrgreenz on 26/01/2022 - 11:07
        +2

        "If you have tried multiple smoking cessation treatments with little success, your doctor may provide a prescription for medically supervised access to nicotine vaping products"

        Haha, what a joke

        • 2024 on 26/01/2022 - 11:35
          +2

          Probably have to endure hypnosis sessions, mystic chanting circles and shock therapy before being granted access to something the government won't reap huge tax benifits from.

      • WT on 01/02/2022 - 22:59

        I bought a 500ml batch of nic mid 20 when I couldnt order premade juice from overseas. Friend told me about the new law, its basically an online form you fill out and pay for the prescription that they email you next business day.

        I just made my 2nd batch of diluted nic to mix with juice and I still have at least 2/3rd of the original bottle so not quite the 10 years I guessed but it will be closer to 8.

        vaping isnt for everyone there is a steep learning curve but once you learn what you like its dead simple. I can rewick my devices in 5-10 mins once a week which is probably the same time it would take to get in the car and go get a pack.

        I can mix 3x 60ml bottles in 10 mins which will last me well over 1 month.

        I was in thailand a few years ago, one of the cheapest places to buy cigs and our driver was shocked at how much it costs me compared to him. Literally cents per day even if I chain vaped.

  • freefall101 on 25/01/2022 - 09:58
    +17

    Best options are to build a taller fence (even clear plastic to make it taller) and keep the windows shut.

    If it's getting in through ways besides the windows then hunt down the cracks and get them sealed. It'll help your power bill anyway.

    Air purifier will also do a pretty good job tackling cigarette smoke. If you know where it's coming in, stick one there.

    • enwar on 25/01/2022 - 10:48
      +1

      Seconding this. Back when I used to smoke the air purifier will catch any excess from getting in the house.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/01/2022 - 10:04
    +11

    Suggest also looking at placing indoor‌ ‌plants‌ ‌that‌ ‌filter‌ ‌cigarette‌ ‌smoke‌ ‌ in the affected rooms

    • ankor on 26/01/2022 - 14:29

      I'll definitely look into this!

    • kobeduck on 03/02/2022 - 01:41

      this is a massive myth that has been busted plenty of times. You literally need a jungle for it to have any effect

  • avoidfullprice on 25/01/2022 - 10:06
    +3

    Yup. I have neighbour smoking, cooking playing radio loudly, have 10+ people gather loudly in backyard every day and night. Let council and EPA know not expecting to do anything, but on record I said something but they didn't act

    The problem I have is that my place is downwind of his, so I inevitably get all of that second hand smoke smell in most of my house.

    A possible solution is to install a floor fan at the main point of entry (since they don't come through walls) and blow towards it, creating a positive pressure.

      • MS Paint on 25/01/2022 - 11:52
        +2

        Sounds more like a scratched record to me.

    • ankor on 25/01/2022 - 11:53

      An interesting idea thanks.

      I suspect it is coming through our floorboards. it's a Queenslander on stilts. so the smoke must be permeating through the floorboards at night and also, through the open windows during the day.

      • AlanHB on 27/01/2022 - 08:15
        +1

        If the floorboards were the issue you could address it by installing underfloor insulation I think.

    • barghunt1 on 25/01/2022 - 18:51
      +8

      Unfortunately in this country people are not entitled to fresh air where they live. I live next to chimneys that burn every single day of the year and complaining is useless because no one wants to do anything about it. But I’m sure if the useless councillors at my local council had smoke in their homes, washing and lungs everyday through no choice of their own they would get up off their lazy backside and do something about it.

      If anyone wants to hear some of the impact of chimney smoke listen to this podcast.

      https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbrie…

      • Psdsoft on 26/01/2022 - 09:22
        +2

        Who was there first? You or the chimneys? Did you move in knowing they were there?

      • greatlamp on 26/01/2022 - 09:24
        -1

        You should check with the EPA what smoke they are allowed. They may be required to filter the smoke stacks or only operate at night when people are indoors

        • barghunt1 on 26/01/2022 - 20:45
          +1

          Council for chimneys not epa.

  • Nugs on 25/01/2022 - 10:13
    +1

    Industrial strength extraction fan on top of their porch with a 5m tall flue…….
    .

  • JIMB0 on 25/01/2022 - 10:20
    +12

    Build a wall and get them to pay for it.

    • franco cozzo on 25/01/2022 - 10:52
      +4

      are you donald trump?

      • pharkurnell on 25/01/2022 - 10:59
        +1

        Didnt work for him either.

    • ankor on 25/01/2022 - 11:55

      Might be able to get them to chip in half at best lol

  • mrkorrupt on 25/01/2022 - 10:20
    +1

    https://imgur.com/a/m2ghn1M

    • ankor on 25/01/2022 - 11:57

      Can't afford the place next to the next door neighbour. It set a record for sales in my suburb recently.

      My place is pretty decent, the neighbour's place is the least improved of the three lol.

  • Derrick Crane on 25/01/2022 - 10:28
    +4

    Swap houses and then you will be upwind of him.

    • jjjaar on 25/01/2022 - 10:33
      +5

      And then fill your garden with manure.

  • Mokr on 25/01/2022 - 10:46
    +17

    Don't worry dude got five years max to live

  • Seraphin7 on 25/01/2022 - 10:54
    -8

    In any event, it's their own free will and its their home.

    Nailed it.

    • RDY4ME on 25/01/2022 - 11:21
      +19

      Not when it impacts other households.

      • ThithLord on 27/01/2022 - 09:21
        +1

        In any event, it's their own free will and its their home.

        Nailed it.

        Not when it impacts other households.

        Congratulations, you've come across how entitled smokers can become.

    • TooSerious2 on 25/01/2022 - 11:32
      +5

      This is spot on. But OP makes no request for ways to make them stop, just to alleviate his own situation. My first repose, as a smoker, was suck it up. But I see your point. Old mate sounds alright so he might not mind having a fan at his place to blow the smoke away, which might be more effective than trying to do it at your end.

      • ankor on 26/01/2022 - 14:32

        I think because of how the airflow is in our area, this just won't be effective.

        Even if I built a fence, it would have to be close to 4m high to block out the smoke.

        • Bjayem on 28/01/2022 - 19:43
          +1

          If you’re planning on being there a while plant a HEDGE. 4m is manageable and get something fast growing - ie Lilly pilly variety or bamboo. Even if it doesn’t block it all it’ll help after two years. Hedge/cut it often so it gets thick. Start now and you’ll thank itself in 3 yrs.

          • ankor on 28/01/2022 - 20:19

            @Bjayem: ok I think you've convinced me with this idea and I'm not sure why I didn't think of it earlier.

            It makes sense for my predicament too since we already have the back fence that's about 8ft tall and covered in jasmin flower vines. Replicating that type of aesthetic to the left and right of the house could also give the place a bit of a greener feel and allow a bit more privacy.

            • Bjayem on 28/01/2022 - 20:26
              +1

              @ankor: I had smokers next door at my last place similar to urs. After it annoyed my young family for a year, I spent 2 weekends creating slightly raised garden beds with sleepers and soil and searched online for fast growing hedges. Does your fence line get much sun? Go to a nursery and ask best options - nurseries get asked ALL the time. Invest in the biggest/most grown version of what the plant is they recommend and u can afford. Tend to it. Realize that the first 5 months the plant is going to grow slowish while it takes root… then come next spring You’ll be amazed at how fast the right plants can grow in Aus. It’ll also cut out sound!

    • Dan_ on 26/01/2022 - 13:10
      +3

      So by your reasoning, blasting loud music at 2AM is also OK?

      • TooSerious2 on 26/01/2022 - 14:48
        -4

        If you're nice about it, The Wiggles you can stick up your arse, but I'm sure there is something we both like

        • Zilch on 27/01/2022 - 08:09
          +2

          You got a problem with The Wiggles mate?

  • zan5hin on 25/01/2022 - 11:27
    +3

    These are all fantastic, practical ideas, yay for ozbargain

  • Shoocat on 25/01/2022 - 11:40
    +1

    While he's out, install a sprinkler/smoke detector system in the porch roof.

    You've done him a favour by ensuring he'll never accidentally burn the house down by falling asleep and dropping a lit ciggy on the floor. What a caring neighbour!

  • WreckTangle on 25/01/2022 - 11:58
    +1

    Aim your hose in their direction…say you thought there was a fire

  • ShannonN on 25/01/2022 - 12:09

    Buy him several packets of Nicorette's maybe the hint he needs

  • TheBilly on 25/01/2022 - 12:40

    Buy them a Sheesha and some Watermelon Flavoured tobacco as a gift

  • GG57 on 25/01/2022 - 13:33
    +1

    Do you have plants / foliage on the fence line?

    • ankor on 25/01/2022 - 16:09

      Not at the right locations no.

  • Traveller107 on 25/01/2022 - 13:34
    +30

    Having moved a lot I have learnt that smokers make the worst neighbours. They make living difficult for you in general and harm your health. And they get aggressive at any mention of their smoking being unpleasant. They will not change and I'm dealing with a family of smokers that live behind us so I get what you're going through. And I have chronic asthma so literally have become a prisoner in my own home.
    We have put up a tall fence. We have installed oscillating sprinklers shooting straight upwards that I turn on when I really need to be outside as that reduces the smoke substantially and waters the yard. Maybe try that.

    • ihbh on 25/01/2022 - 16:10
      +6

      Gosh, that's a pretty bad situation to be in. The more you can do the better, because passive smoke can kill.

    • RoosterBooster on 25/01/2022 - 22:27
      +3

      @Traveller107 Sorry to hear of your unpleasant situation. Nothing worse than being a prisoner inside your own home when all you want to do is go outside for 'FRESH' air! I live on a rural property and have a neighbour that smokes. Despite the large space between us, the smoke always seems to drift across our way whenever I am outside and irritates me. I am glad I am not any closer such as on a small town block.

      During the cooler months, there are neighbours burning off and fireplaces going every day. The air seems so toxic outside and I am quite stressed by it. It is not pleasant. I like to get outdoors but am super sensitive to smoke, not to mention worried about the harmful impacts of it.

  • bluesky on 25/01/2022 - 13:44
    +3

    This is one idea - it is not ideal, but it will help. If you can, during those 4-5 hours, close all windows and outlets. Make sure the house is adequately aired during the day, prior to those hours. Even so, some of the smoke will get in.

    Use air purifiers - this helps but note: this will not remove the gaseous pollutants, only the particulates - which is better than nothing.

    This is the strategy I use since I live in a neighbourhood where wood burning is allowed and during winter, it can get pretty bad. And I am downstream to some of these houses.

    • upsidedownlemon on 26/01/2022 - 09:29
      +1

      Get a filter with activated carbon and it’ll pull out smells

  • starspawn on 25/01/2022 - 13:55
    -1

    Take up smoking yourself and blow it back at them.

    Or, you could light some good old Nang Champa to mask the smell.

    https://treeoflife.com.au/products/satya-nag-champa-incense-…

  • ihbh on 25/01/2022 - 16:14
    +1

    In the short-medium term you can treat it like a bushfire situation outside your home. Close windows and run air purifiers.

    The bushfires before Covid and the backburning since resulted in some days with a lot of smoke outside our home which is near many national parks. We bunker down, close all doors and windows and run air purifiers at full blast and that works for us.

    I realise your situation is much worse - daily, but you have to make some sacrifices to protect your health until they move or you move or someone/thing intervenes..

  • cashless on 25/01/2022 - 16:15
    +1

    See-through roller shutters might work, at a cost.
    Closing windows will work, at personal cost to yourself.
    Fans are a good idea.
    Scented candles, incense will also help to neutralise smell.
    Maybe if there is only one inlet to your place, try an air purifier?

    There is always a way to combat these problems, it'll just mean you have to change your behaviour and you may have to spend a bit.

  • GourmetFoodie on 25/01/2022 - 19:17
    +13

    Good luck mate. It’s so wrong. We bought a new house not knowing the neighbours have a chimney that they use with their wood fire about 250 days a year. Drives me batty. There is sweet f-all you can do except make sure your house is well sealed. Otherwise air purifier will definitely help. I am seriously considering moving to the country to get away from this shit. A giant block of land with big fences and no neighbours close by sounds like heaven.

    • miwahni on 26/01/2022 - 00:01
      +3

      You will want a ginormous block then, because I've lived in a few country areas and the major source of home heating is the wood fire. We'd light it in April when the cooler weather arrived, and let it go out around mid September when the days were back into double figures. Some mornings it was hard to tell if it was fog, or smoke haze from the wood fires blocking the sky.

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