is there a law against smoking near a neighbors window forcing them to breathe in the toxic? (Los Angeles: apartment, leases)

[Fantasm]

Hi,

I'm trying to find out if there is a law in Los Angeles county that some how restricts or bans smoking in an apartment building when that smoke makes its away into neighbors homes through the windows, forcing them to breathe in that second hand smoke!

[LizzyNola]

Originally Posted by Fantasm

Hi,

I'm trying to find out if there is a law in Los Angeles county that some how restricts or bans smoking in an apartment building when that smoke makes its away into neighbors homes through the windows, forcing them to breathe in that second hand smoke!

Don't know the answer to that, however I hope so!

[vegaspilgrim]

I absolutely F-ing hate that! Last summer one of my neighbors had a visitor who was smoking nonstop at all hours of the day and night right outside the balcony, one door down. That was the only window allowing air to come in, and it was hot every night, with no A/C, so I had to put a box fan in the window. The second that guy started lighting up my whole room turned into an ash tray. Smokers are always talking about their "rights," well what about our rights not to have our residences, clothes, and bodies smell like an ashtray and not get lung cancer?

[vdy1985]

Dammit I hate that crap too.

[bhcompy]

i dont think there are any laws about smoking in residential housing. as a non-smoker who hates smoking, i would never support that kind of intrusion into the home

[Fantasm]

i like how the government made laws banning smoking 20ft near a window or a door OF A GOVERNMENT OWNED WORKPLACE OR BUILDING, but they completely ignore RESIDENTIAL buildings?

There is a smoker around my windows some place below me, and she/he goes out to the balcony to light up like 5 times a day and screws me over! I'm sitting at home working or relaxing and then my entire condo starts reeking plus I have to breathe in the second hand smoke that made it in, before I have to interrupt what I'm doing and close the windows.

Just the fact that she goes outside of her own home to smoke should tell you something!

[zenkonami]

Originally Posted by Fantasm

i like how the government made laws banning smoking 20ft near a window or a door OF A GOVERNMENT OWNED WORKPLACE OR BUILDING, but they completely ignore RESIDENTIAL buildings?

That would be because gov't owned locations are held essentially as public property for all Americans. Your apartment building is owned by someone else. Though I also disapprove of smoking, I don't think this is an area the gov't needs to be involved in.

To all those who have concerns, why not try talking to the offending party and hashing out a compromise? Or perhaps a discussion with the landlord / property owner?

The sound of someone's music, vacuum or kids stomping around may be as much of a nuisance (even if not a health risk) and personally I would argue that the cars that blow by the front of my window cause me perpetual distress with both their noise and atmospheric pollution. All I can do is take the courses of action available to me and / or eventually find a new place. Those complaining at least have the benefit of hashing it out with their neighbors / landlords before pursuing other action.

Of course, if this is just venting and griping, then gripe away

[MIKEETC]

I don't know of any laws preventing smokers from smoking outside on private property. Even if there were, they'd be difficult to enforce.

[LABornandRaised]

2 years ago when I lived in an apartment (I rent a house now), I had a neighbor below me who smoked with her sister on their balcony. The only ventilation for the living room was the balcony sliding door and during the summer, it was maddening having to put up with the smoke.

I finally looked at my lease and it said, "No Smoking on the premises." I went to the landlord who advised me that "ordinance" was an amendment and that the people living below me moved in before that was put on the leases. I said that is unacceptable and misleading. The landlord said she knew the sisters quite well and would talk to them. Luckily, from that point on they stopped their smoking and I could finally get a nice breeze on a hot summer's day. The only downside was that we would always get a dirty look from them and they stopped saying "hi" to us.

Whatever, it was worth it.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

I am wondering if their is a law that keeps someone from spraying water outside an open window with a super soaker even though a smoker is near by. Anyone know?