Attached balcony, neighbor smokes and my entire living room stinks! (Russia: apartments, lease) - New York City - New York (NY) - City-Data Forum

cee4 · 06-09-2011, 09:49 PM

Any suggestions on finding a nice way to tell them to stop smoking without coming off as rude? I have asked once but they havn't stopped.

The family/roommates just moved in and they have been doing a lot of things that have been bothering me just a little bit such as talking loudly on the balcony and smoking non stop. It seems to be 2 females and 2 males all of the same age.

I really do not want to start a scene but at this point just talking doesn't seem to work.

Coolchris4000b · 06-09-2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cee4

Any suggestions on finding a nice way to tell them to stop smoking without coming off as rude? I have asked once but they havn't stopped.

The family/roommates just moved in and they have been doing a lot of things that have been bothering me just a little bit such as talking loudly on the balcony and smoking non stop. It seems to be 2 females and 2 males all of the same age.

I really do not want to start a scene but at this point just talking doesn't seem to work.

People are getting a little too crazy throughout the city about this 2nd hand smoke thing. I am smoker(my choice!), and my neighbor who lives on top of me(grumpy old lady) decided to report me to the landlord, because "smoke was coming thru the vents".... PLEASE!!! What is this war against smokers, can't smoke in parks, outside, I feel like I live in Soviet Russia(Dictator Bloomberg), I am looked at as outcast for being a smoker now-a-days!!! Jesus, by the way, did you know fumes from cars, buses and everything else you breathe in is 10x more harmful then 2nd hand smoke. Nobody dies from 2nd hand smoke... Its our choice, let us deal with it.

omigawd · 06-09-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolchris4000b

People are getting a little too crazy throughout the city about this 2nd hand smoke thing. I am smoker(my choice!), and my neighbor who lives on top of me(grumpy old lady) decided to report me to the landlord, because "smoke was coming thru the vents".... PLEASE!!! What is this war against smokers, can't smoke in parks, outside, I feel like I live in Soviet Russia(Dictator Bloomberg), I am looked at as outcast for being a smoker now-a-days!!! Jesus, by the way, did you know fumes from cars, buses and everything else you breathe in is 10x more harmful then 2nd hand smoke. Nobody dies from 2nd hand smoke... Its our choice, let us deal with it.

It's YOUR choice to smoke. If you want to slowly commit suicide, that's you option. However, other people shouldn't be subjected to the poison in your second-hand smoke and their homes shouldn't have to reek of stale cigarette smoke because you decide to smoke knowing it's coming through the vents or from your balcony into your neighbor's livingroom.

People don't die from 2nd hand cigarette smoke???? I beg to differ. I think you should do some reading on the topic.

By the way, whether you know it or not, your cigarettes make your breath smell rotten, your hair, your body, your clothing all reek. It's really disgusting. No matter how much you brush your teeth, use mouthwash, chew gum -- your breath still stinks. Same with your hair, body, and clothing. You can bathe, wash, use perfume --- you will still stink of cigarettes.

==========================================

As for the OP. What I would do is, I would purchase a standing fan and just turn it on high and leave it pointed at their balcony when they decide to come sit outside and smoke. It might also drown out the noise from their loud conversations. Get a Lasko fan ---- they're probably the most powerful..... OR you can get one of those black "shop" fans that sits on the floor and sounds/feels like a small jet engine! LOL!!

Good luck. I know what it's like having inconsiderate neighbors.

cee4 · 06-09-2011, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolchris4000b

People are getting a little too crazy throughout the city about this 2nd hand smoke thing. I am smoker(my choice!), and my neighbor who lives on top of me(grumpy old lady) decided to report me to the landlord, because "smoke was coming thru the vents".... PLEASE!!! What is this war against smokers, can't smoke in parks, outside, I feel like I live in Soviet Russia(Dictator Bloomberg), I am looked at as outcast for being a smoker now-a-days!!! Jesus, by the way, did you know fumes from cars, buses and everything else you breathe in is 10x more harmful then 2nd hand smoke. Nobody dies from 2nd hand smoke... Its our choice, let us deal with it.

your choice shouldn't affect my home. really why would you even make this argument.

Febtober · 06-10-2011, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolchris4000b

I am smoker(my choice!), and my neighbor who lives on top of me(grumpy old lady) decided to report me to the landlord, because "smoke was coming thru the vents".... PLEASE!!

No crap, because IT IS. I've lived in places where the people in surrounding units smoked and it very easily can come into your place, especially if they live below you.

Do a little experiment the next time your smoking: Look at the smoke, which way does it go? Yes, that's right... up! Now ask yourself if there is an airtight barrier between your apartment and the person's above you? Hmmm, there isn't?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolchris4000b

Jesus, by the way, did you know fumes from cars, buses and everything else you breathe in is 10x more harmful then 2nd hand smoke.

The fact that you're pulling numbers out of your ass aside, while the air here isn't the best for you, why would you add one more harmful thing in it? "Hurrr, you're breathing all this bad stuff to begin with, so what's a little more!"

StaggerLee22 · 06-10-2011, 08:38 AM

See....
This is why I never started on cigs and went straight to crack.

Nobody ever says I reek of crack.

nightcrawler · 06-10-2011, 08:45 AM

Any time I ever see attached terraces (balconies), I always say, If I had a terrace it would be my luck the people attached to me will be smokers.........I would just know it......ugh...

But I don't have a balcony, and if I ever mover to an apartment with one, it will not be attached to anyone.....

Be lucky they aren't smoking in the apartment, you do not want a fire.

Kefir King · 06-10-2011, 12:33 PM

They are smoking outside so ad not to smell up THEIR apartment. All you can do is keep the doors closed so they don't smell up yours.

How about: "I'll buy you a carton a month for every month you don't smoke on the terrace?" What's that, $50 a month? (on the internet)

nightcrawler · 06-10-2011, 01:24 PM

Well, while it is annoying, there is nothing you can do about it. They do have the right to smoke on their terrace and they probably do for the reason the OP stated, as to not make their apartment smell.

Of course when looking at apartments there are so many things to consider, like the shared balcony..... it really is something to think about....

nyctc7 · 06-10-2011, 02:59 PM

I suspect that second-hand smoke danger is grossly overstated by the anti-smoking cusaders. Insignificant compared to auto exhaust, for example.

One reason I would never rent an apartment in a building with balconies is what the OP is talking about. Anyway, I do sympathize with the stress that goes with having unthoughtful neighbors who party late and basically act like they are living in a secluded spot in the woods rather than an apartment house. The only advice I can give is to talk to the people as nicely as possible, non-confrontational, instead of leaving notes and the like. If that doesn't work, move...though you might be stuck until the lease runs out.