Tobacco smoke from the neighbors: is it possible to prevent? (Houston: houses, buying)

[Ghost Town]

Long story short, both of my neighbors (wife and husband) are heavy smokers. No, they are not a low life people, they appear to be upper middle class, both white American...but they do smoke a lot.

No, I would not reconsider buying this house next to them if I had a chance, because I love both the house and the area. However I started thinking about how to prevent that smoke from coming to my backyard. The thing is that both neighbors and I love spending time outside. And of course they do smoke primarily in their backyard. Are there any new technologies available to block smoke from coming to an open area?

Why I started this topic in Houston section (not in Home section) - because there might be some local regulations regarding smoking outside in residential areas. Maybe someone knows.

And also few times I noticed very strange smell that was definitely not a tobacco smoke (most likely, marijuana). I am not sure where it was coming from, but in this situation is it OK to call police to check it out? I really hate that smell and don't want to be around it any more. I am strictly against the drugs! Weed is not legal in TX as far as I remember...but would police help to locate the source and issue ticket?

Thanks in advance.

[RCH99]

lol. you’re goofy my man.

Get a dozen, or so, of these...and mount them upside down on your roof....but not so that your patio extension cover thingy gets blown off.

https://www.bigassfans.com

[jburress]

Originally Posted by Ghost Town

Long story short, both of my neighbors (wife and husband) are heavy smokers. No, they are not a low life people, they appear to be upper middle class, both white American...but they do smoke a lot.

No, I would not reconsider buying this house next to them if I had a chance, because I love both the house and the area. However I started thinking about how to prevent that smoke from coming to my backyard. The thing is that both neighbors and I love spending time outside. And of course they do smoke primarily in their backyard. Are there any new technologies available to block smoke from coming to an open area? Why I started this topic in Houston section (not in Home section) - because there might be some local regulations regarding smoking outside in residential areas. Maybe someone knows.

Except for outdoor fans there is no other way other than staying inside for you to avoid the smell. And there are no regulations stopping people from smoking on their property.

Originally Posted by Ghost Town

And also few times I noticed very strange smell that was definitely not a tobacco smoke (most likely, marijuana). I am not sure where it was coming from, [b]but in this situation is it OK to call police to check it out?[b] I really hate that smell and don't want to be around it any more. I am strictly against the drugs! Weed is not legal in TX as far as I remember...but would police help to locate the source and issue ticket?

Thanks in advance.

Police won't do anything unless you have evidence that they are dealing drugs from the home. The only thing that calling the police on them will do is you being labeled as that "crazy,nosy neighbor."

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by jburress

Except for outdoor fans there is no other way other than staying inside for you to avoid the smell. And there are no regulations stopping people from smoking on their property.


Police won't do anything unless you have evidence that they are dealing drugs from the home. The only thing that calling the police on them will do is you being labeled as that "crazy,nosy neighbor."

Thanks for the info!

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by Ghost Town

Long story short, both of my neighbors (wife and husband) are heavy smokers. No, they are not a low life people, they appear to be upper middle class, both white American...but they do smoke a lot.

No, I would not reconsider buying this house next to them if I had a chance, because I love both the house and the area. However I started thinking about how to prevent that smoke from coming to my backyard. The thing is that both neighbors and I love spending time outside. And of course they do smoke primarily in their backyard. Are there any new technologies available to block smoke from coming to an open area?

Why I started this topic in Houston section (not in Home section) - because there might be some local regulations regarding smoking outside in residential areas. Maybe someone knows.

And also few times I noticed very strange smell that was definitely not a tobacco smoke (most likely, marijuana). I am not sure where it was coming from, but in this situation is it OK to call police to check it out? I really hate that smell and don't want to be around it any more. I am strictly against the drugs! Weed is not legal in TX as far as I remember...but would police help to locate the source and issue ticket?

Thanks in advance.

The wind can't always be blowing in your direction. If you have a covered patio consider outdoor ceiling fans , also a high wood fence may help...

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by Jack Lance

The wind can't always be blowing in your direction. If you have a covered patio consider outdoor ceiling fans , also a high wood fence may help...

Oh I forgot that they have two ceiling fans in their patio. MFkers, they blow that smoke in my direction.
Yes I need to get fans as well.

[CSD610]

OP, your back yard would hace to be within 4 inches or less of the neighbor's back yard for the actual smoke from cigarettes to make it into your back yard and under your patio.
You should consider buying 100 acres so you will have no neighbors.

[LizzySWW]

But you like SMOKING HOT maids right?

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by CSD610

OP, your back yard would hace to be within 4 inches or less of the neighbor's back yard for the actual smoke from cigarettes to make it into your back yard and under your patio.
You should consider buying 100 acres so you will have no neighbors.

My backyard is quite large, but the houses are standing next to each other.
I am not super sensitive to this smoke, however they smoke pretty much all the time I am outside and first of all it's not healthy. Have you ever heard about 2nd hand smoke?
So if you had heavy smokers living next to you, you would simply enjoy their smoke?
I would try ceiling fan.

[Ghost Town]

Originally Posted by LizzySWW

But you like SMOKING HOT maids right?

They have an excuse. But probably also not all the time.