You are not going to be able to stop a smoker who is smoking on his own property. I moved once because of this kind of situation. I hate cigarette smoke with a passion. I could not open windows during the summer or the stink rolled in.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say you can't move because you have a mortgage. Of course, people move all the time even if their house is not yet paid off.

Just be aware that you will have to find coping mechanisms. Or if you really can' take it you will have to move or hope he moves.

I don't have the means to move. Money for me is tight already.

I love the fan idea. Wonder what the neighbor would think when it is turned on? It would be nice if he smoked outside his front door instead.

Elizabeth

I've seen him smoke in front before several times but each time instead of standing in front of his own porch, he stands in front of the neighbors porch that lives next to him.... go figures

In front of the neighbor's porch? What the heck?

Elizabeth

yup, in front of neighbors porch. That's why I don't get it. So inconsiderate.

How about a no smoking sign in your back yard? :)

I'll have to stick it on his side of the fence for him to be able to see it and most likely he'll turn a blind eye to it.

Then how about a big old blast of stinky room freshener? I am kidding really.

Elizabeth

LOL... so tempted to do that .. lol

i wonder if I should start letting my dog poop over that area to stink up the place... lol but then I'll have to smell it too .., lol

The fan will be a plenty obvious statement plus might actually blow the smoke away.

Lots of good suggestions here. Here are some coping mechanisms:

Fan. I keep mine indoors and take it out when I need it. I got a 24" air king high velocity air circulator from build.com for about $100. It's not waterproof and it's heavy. It does not work when the wind is stronger than the fan. My fan is not elevated.

Talk to the neighbor calmly to let them know how much it bothers you. You can write a note if you can't talk to them face to face. Offer a solution to make it easy for them to comply. (Isn't there some kind of smoke-sucking machine they can get?) If you don't tell them, they will never realize their smoke bothers you as much as it does.

Fake cough loudly when you smell it. This only works after they know it bothers you. Otherwise they think you are really coughing. This also lets them know you are outside. They might curtail their smoking until you go back inside.

Teach your dog to bark when you fake cough. (This works for me because my neighbor hates barking dogs.) When the smell stops, direct your dog to stop barking and talk to your dog loudly enough so that your neighbor thinks you are stopping the barking out of consideration.

If fake cough and dog barks don't work, you can say loudly something like "It stinks out here. Who's smoking?" and keep complaining loudly to yourself (or your dog) until it stops.

Respirator. 3m makes a paint odor removal respirator that works pretty well if you need to work outside. It's gray. It can be hot though. You could also try a big fancy respirator. This way, if you have to, you could go up and talk to the neighbor while they are smoking. Most people don't like to be embarrassed.

Walk in front of their house. Or close to the fence that separates your yard. Make noise, do yardwork, make them aware you are outside.

Take pictures of your view which includes their yard. You can photograph the trees or sky or your yard. It might make them a little more self-aware if they see you taking pictures.

The point is to make them feel uncomfortable enough to change their behavior while you are outside. They will probably learn your schedule and smoke when you are not outside.

If you stay inside all the time, they will think you are doing that because you want to, and they will take more freedoms. Go outside and claim your space.

There is an organization called Americans for Nonsmokers Rights. You can see if they can provide any help or suggestions.

Edit: Another idea is you can write a general post on nextdoor.com if your neighborhood is active on that site. The responses can get nasty, but at least more people will be aware that there is an issue. When the community at large acknowledges the problem, neighbors tend to find solutions or modify their use. It takes time, but it will never be fixed if they never know that it bothers people.

The best solution is to help him regain his health and stop smoking. I have a dear neighbor who would like to stop but can't find the will. She suffers terribly when she tries to stop. I really feel for her.

Another neighbor has suffered a severe stroke related to his smoking. He's a very kind man and I wouldn't wish what happened to him on anyone.

I think he isn't going to stop smoking in his own yard regardless of how you feel about it. You might only be able to have your house open when he's away.

The best you can make of the situation might be to see a pattern and hopefully go out when he's not smoking. Living with or close to others is a challenge sometimes. One of our dear rose forum members had his dream garden ruined by new neighbors who swore, drank, smoked, played loud music and threw trash over the fence. They drove loud motorbikes in the yard and had barking dogs.

If you could build a sun room or conservatory that you could keep the smoke out of it might be a temporary solution.

Kittymoon

thank you. I've been trying to do that lately. But sometimes when I think he's not smoking and I go out to tend to my garden, he starts. So I bolt back into the house and close all doors and window and it was horrible during the hot summer days, I have no AC.

I cant believe those people actually threw trash onto that members lawn! That is horrible! My neighbor that smokes is doing the same but luckily not in my yard.

For now I'll just have to get a fan and close all doors and windows. Luckily fall is coming.

How tall is your fence? Might it be possible, when your finances allow, to build a taller fence? Or build a screen (which isn't covered by most zoning fence height restrictions) free standing from your fence- that is much taller and plant sweet smelling vines on it. Some of these would be expensive, plus you'd need to make them more solid, but if I were desperate, I'd gather wood pallets you can get for free and fashion something from those...like maybe the chevron hanging screen:

Olychick

Thank you so much for the great idea! Currently my fence is only 6 ft tall and with small gaps between some of the panels. You gave me the I idea about brick walls too! I wonder which ones least expensive. I need to do some research. Thanks again! :)

I am sensitive to smells also. But just because you smell something doesn't mean you are inhaling dangerous fumes. Scent travels much further than particulate matter. This reminds of the people who claim just the smell of peanuts can be deadly to those allergic to ingesting peanuts. Or the people who complain that the smell of ethnic cooking has to be stopped, or bacon, or BBQ. SMH

It's his backyard.
He is not doing anything against the law.
He doesn't even know his smoking is bothering you because you haven't even told him.

I would speak to him about it nicely. And if my money was tight I wouldn't spend $140 for a yard fan.

watchmodel

this is just not any ordinary scent. This is cig smoke which is considered an air polluntant ans can travel 20ft in any direction and linger for hours. It's known to stay on clothing and hard to wash off. BBQ scents and bacon smell is considered not an annoyance but cig smoke is a totally differently story.

And in regards to the scent peanuts killing people. It has happened to a elementary school girl. She dead cause of it.

You could just put a box fan in your window, with air blowing "out" rather than close your windows....and yes, for crying out loud, speak to him about it...you never know, he may be nice as pie. Not all smokers are inconsiderate jerks you know.

I smoke on my back patio. Our lots are pretty big so hopefully not an issue for our neighbors. No one has ever said anything to me.

I think he has a right to smoke in his own back yard. If he moves to the other side of his yard it might bother another neighbor. However, he does not even know that it bothers you so why would he move to another area to smoke.

I guess you don't have air conditioning? If you do, close the windows so you don't smell it so much. Use a fan. Buy an air purifier.

I have been on cruises in the smoking area and a non-smoker will walk by and wave the air, cough and basically make a spectacle about the smoke "in the smoking area".

Maybe I am overly sensitive to the subject. Just another perspective.

Nope. Nobody has ever died from peanut butter smell. In order to have an allergic reaction you would have to ingest the peanut protein in some way. Smell does not carry the protein. That's science dear, not fantastical thinking.

Same with smoke from a cigarette 20 feet away. You are in far more danger from invisible, odor free pollutants in the air you breath every day, everywhere than you are just because you can smell a neighbor smoking. Unless you are somehow sucking the smoke from the neighbor's yard into your home you are in no danger. Like with peanuts you would have to inhale particulate matter and it would have be over some time. Hard to wash off? OMG I used to go to bars before they became non smoking. Couldn't stand the smell so afterwards I took a shower. No more smell.

This is cig smoke which is considered an air polluntant ans can travel 20ft in any direction and linger for hours.

Outside? Linger for hours? Really. One person smoking out in his yard 4 times a day? Do you live in a box? I thought you said this was out in the yard.

You know what I think? I think you are seeking attention. This post is looking like a bit of sea lioning.

Of course people who smoke will have a different perspective - they are all valid. It's his right to smoke in his yard, but I also think Sandy has a right not to smell it. Unfortunately his rights will trump hers. I think it's sad she will have to close her windows or spend money on solutions for his choices, but it is what it is.

If you can smell the smoke, it's a danger. There are levels of exposure but it's still exposure. Even third hand smoke is considered dangerous now.

Shopping, I can see how that might be dramatic for you in the smoking section. I try to avoid places with a smoking section because it bothers me so much, and the smoke doesn't know to stay contained to that section, so i'm probably one of those dramatic air wavers. I'm also overly sensitive because my mom died of lung cancer and it brings back really bad memories.

Then can you explain this

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2724684/Nut-allergy-girl-went-anaphylactic-shock-plane-passenger-ignored-three-warnings-not-eat-nuts-board.html

And I do remember there was a case on the news that a child died because someone had peanuts for lunch at school and no she/he didn't eat any.

And I guess they must be wrong here then

http://www.breathecalifornia.org/healthinfo/secondhandsmoke.html

Doesnt mean something doesn't bother you that it doesn't bother others.

And I don't have to suck it into my home to smell it. It drifts into my home. I have as much right to leave my windows open and enjoy fresh air as must as you think he has to smoke.

I've skimmed through the responses and not seen if anyone has suggested adding some landscaping to block the flow of smoke? Would that be possible?

We have neighbors who do not keep their house up (think broken windows) and others who think they are living on a farm in tract housing, and do not as much clean up as they should. Landscaping, done right, can provide some sound and smell barriers as well as visual barrier. My barrier will eventually be tall and visual, but also will be closely planted evergreens that will block some of the airflow/smell and provide an alternative, and more pleasant, odor as well. If anything, it will improve our property value, so there really isn't a downside to it that I can see- except maybe that we have to do a little more maintenance.

Even in a small area, you could potentially plant some fast growing vines that might make your situation more pleasant. In your case and my area, I would think something like honeysuckle or jasmine which you could grow thickly along a fence with support, and also gives off its own aroma, which would probably be more pleasant than the smoke.

I like the fan idea too. We live in houses that are only about 10 feet apart and the narrow areas between the houses trap a lot of smells in the most peculiar way, just getting airflow through tight areas might do a lot to solve your dilemma.

I think you are lucky to have such small issues with your neighbors. Things could be far worse with them! Get the fan and use it. Don't make an issue out of something like this. There are far more important problems in the world.

I will never understand why people who don't like neighbors, move into neighborhoods.

i live in the city and that's how it is here. Not everyone can afford to get a place with acres of land.

I am hoping you can get some relief. I do have a home far enough away from other homes that I'll never at this point know what they do there. My old housemate who was willing to smoke outdoors and not in here (I could deal with that) admitted once he gave up the habit a few years ago, he never realized how obnoxious the smell was until then. And that, of course, is just the scent, not all the other issues.

Summershine: Some people DO have serious health issues, don't belittle that, okay? Minor to you, major health problems to others. Mine are minor with regards to this (and I've dealt accordingly) but I will NEVER assume that others are also minor. Okay? Understand?

Artemis

thank you! It just how some people assumes that a person is not disabled cause they can still walk or is not missing any limbs.

..................just throwing this out there............... Hunters will buy this stuff to cover their scent when they're in the woods. I think they make a skunk scent. A few drops of that placed by your fence, and your new fan blowing the smells away from your house....... Just might work.

Of course, you'd be able to smell that scent too......

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!

Artemis,

I did not belittle anyone's health problem.

I am merely stating that this issue could easily be solved with a fan. Health issue or an annoyance, the fan solves the problem. I also said not to make an issue of this. The reason being is that things just get worse. The neighbor may not take that well and could escalate the smoking problem. Or the neighbor could do far worse things to further annoy her.

Sandy isn't willing to have a friendly conversation with the neighbor about this. She stated her problem, a solution was offered.

Me? I'd start by picking up a batch of cookies or cupcakes and taking them over to the neighbor. I'd then kindly and gently ask if he would work with me on a solution. People are receptive to kindness. Yelling about closing the windows is a passive-aggressive non solution to this issue.

Friendly communication is the key here.

I get smoke too from my neighbor...sometime cigarette, sometimes pot. Not too bad luckily because I usually have my patio door open. But when we were beach camping the guy next to me had a cigarette lit non-stop it seemed. I literally couldn't sit outside on my patio next to him it was so bad. I think I'm getting old because I'm starting to get annoyed with the screaming kids out in the common area LOL. I think we've gone though a period where there weren't any small kids in the neighborhood and I got used the quiet.

I said I told my kids to close the windows, never yelled. Wether he heard me or not I don't know.

Watchmelol, you are misinformed. You can have a anaphylaxis reaction from simple smell. Peanuts, shellfish, and corn are the biggies. People have died from just the smell.

I am highly allergic to corn. Popcorn smell is perhaps the fastest way to set me off with an asthma attack. Even when my nose is blocked and I can't smell due to a cold, I'll get a bad reaction. #2 on my list is smoke from charcoal briquettes (they contain about 25% cornstarch to hold rhem together.)

Wow...just glancing over this thread makes me so THANKFUL for the neighbors we have, barking dogs included.

Sandy, unfortunately, there's really no such thing as a perfect neighborhood and the more urban the setting the worse it can be. Whether it's cigarette smoke, obnoxious partiers, racing cars, barking dogs (or loose dogs who leave unwanted gifts) loud music, yelling, fighting, loud machinery or neighborhood kids who like to trample in your gardens, there's always going to be something that can be irritating; that's just part of living in a neighborhood.

I think Summershine has a very valid point. Acting out with a passive aggressive response to whatever is bothering you can easily back fire and it's almost guaranteed that you'll have more problems than some second hand smoke on your hands. Finding a way to reach out that isn't mean spirited or off putting is probably an easier solution that you think.

I didn't act out yet. I just merely told my kids to close the windows when I smell smoke so it doesn't get into their room.

Sandy, put a fan in the furthest away window, pulling air in. Put another fan in, blowing out, closest to the neighbor. At least you can get some cross ventilation in the house.

Is there somewhere where he could smoke in his own yard so that by the time the smoke would get to your side, it would have already dissipated? Not sure if I used that work right or not. I have neighbors who will go out in the common area and smoke...I may get a whiff but not too bad. I think they are far enough by the time to smokes get to me it's fairly light. Maybe you could ask him to stand or walk a little further away from your side because you are getting full strength cigarette smoke coming into your home. He may not even realize his smoking is being so offensive. You can even through in there your kid has asthma or something and is sensitive to the smoke ;-)

My neighbor burned incense in her home and it was overwhelming to me. A little drifting in the garden is sometimes pleasant but some days I don't care for it. Sometimes scents will give me a headache. I know someone who hates Jasmine, gardenia, honeysuckle and other strong florals. I love that. Everyone's different. It's hard to live with noises and smells that bother you and put you in a bad mood or provoke respiratory problems or headaches. My sister's friend can't go down the aisle with scented detergents or fabric softeners because it affects her.

I keep a fan on my desk at work. When the boss comes in reeking, i just turn my fan on and direct her way. Let her smell her own stink, There is a wall up between my cubicle and her office, so she doesn't see the fan. Only when she has to come over and talk to me. I leave the fan on. She knows perfume gives me a headache and makes me dizzy, but some times she's just an ignorant person and doesn't care.

Hi,

First is to get two window fans as suggested above.

Second, also right away, just do a friendly cookie dropoff for introductions. Don't bring up any issues.

Third try some motion activated lights along that side, towards the shed, and the opposite side of your home. You could probably set them to work in daylight as well as night. Just get one as bright as you can, activated when he's by your window.

Fourth, figure out a self-care action you can take when you get that whiff of smoke. A fresh glass of water, simple stretch, a small housework task. Helps with getting past the an annoyance.

PS don't lecture his grandkids or kids. That can backfire.

Sandy, get a fan or shut your windows. You have a neighbor that is engaging in perfectly legal activities. They may be as upset with you and your standoffish rude behavior as you are with them. I have a feeling you have made your views known in a not so neighborly way. And just think, they may even burn leaves this fall. Keep your peace or move away.

What a bizarre thread.

I like Meanon's idea of bringing over cookies to introduce yourself. This neighbor probably doesn't know he is annoying you.

Once you are on friendly terms, you can bring up the smoke issue. People who know each other are more likely to be cooperative.

People in Texas have reactions to dust that blows over from Africa so yeah... :)

I'm not going to get into a long thing about some of the reactions on here, but you also have the right not to smell his smoke. If he's smoking outside cos his wife doesn't want the smell in her house that makes it ok for you to have to smell it? I don't think so.

Anyway I have the perfect solution! :D lol So a lot of people on here mentioned giving him cookies and saying hello. How about getting him a vape kit? Pick scents you like and give him the kit as a present. Then when he uses it you'll get to smell scents you like and he gets to puff on something. Problem solved :D lol

Except that vapor smell can be intense too, in a different way. I don’t know enough to know how much of the vape smell I don’t notice, how much is pot, how much is tobacco or something else, but I definitely smell it from time to time, and I am pretty far away from homes (medium to large lots). So if you encourage it, you may be smelling it - it will just smell different and may not be as intense. And it’s not necessarily safer - you’d have to research that. I know I can smell it on the sidewalk as I walk in front of certain homes.

The pot smoke is definitely worse than the pot vapor, but both are noticable. Some people don’t seem to care how much they put into the air. Or how frequently they produce the smoke or vapor.

Just be careful what you encourage. The vapor might be better if it can be contained in his house or yard or garage. However I have more tolerance for tobacco cigarettes than for whatever vapor I smell sometimes. Probably because I worry about what’s in it. But also because the tobacco cigarettes don’t seem as strong as the vapor I smell. It could just be the way people are using it.

I wonder if it could be the kinds of cigarettes he smokes too. Do some cigarettes produce more smoke than others?

Ah, neighbors. One of the reasons I sold my condo (I had lived there for 16 years) in 2006: a neighbor. I had to complain to the condo association about a renter in the unit next door, as the owner let this guy in illicitly. Long story. The owner was fined, because the subtenant was not approved by the board, but the noise continued. Soundproofing a wall helped a bit, but it kept noise in rather than keeping noise out. I decided to sell (in 2005 I suffered a horrible personal loss)l, and made a bundle from the sale.

I cannot tolerate loud, bassy music. My aversion to it is partly physiological, I think. It causes panic attacks in me and extreme anxiety and rage combined.

Now, dogs barking, which annoys many people, does not bother me at all. Perhaps it is because I love animals ...

Next year I will be moving, and I hope to get into a senior place.

Regarding smoke and smoking, the building I live in prohibited smoking and dogs, but the new owner who is slowly gutting and rehabbing (my place is the last he will do, when I moved out at the end of May) allows dogs.

I have found that most apartments and condos in Chicago are non-smoking.

Have you tried talking to him about it? It may help, I would not want to live there either, it even bothers me when I go to a flea Market and I have to smell it in the air! Sorry to say I don't think there is anything we can do other then a BIG FAN and blow it back. Good luck

Well it looks like she hasn't posted since Monday?