second hand smoke

[ButterflyBreath]

I live in an old historic house that was turned into apartments. The neighbor below me apparently smokes. My apartment is non smoking so I just assumed the whole house was. I am annoyed by it, and don't even know if he's allowed to or not, but I think it IS pretty silly to put a non smoking apt over a smoking apt since smoke rises. Anyways, I can smell it. Is there any any any chance that the smoke that is seeping up through the cracks could cause health problems for me? I'm guessing no, but if so I might complain. Otherwise I suppose I can deal with the smell by burning incense.

[redfox]

If you can smell it, you're being exposed to second hand smoke. Bad. I would complain and stop this health hazard ASAP.

[Mrs-M]

I feel for you. Do you have a stove-vent fan? This is only an idea, but when you find the smoke smell has invaded your residence, how about cracking a window and turning on the vent-fan for a short burst. The cracked window should create a fresh-air draft helping the fan to suck out odour.

I smoked for many years, since I was in my mid/late teens, and was what my husband referred to as a "clean smoker", where my breath, clothes, and hair never smelled with smoke (like most smokers do), but now, having been a non-smoker for the past three years, secondhand smoke turns my stomach.

My mom smokes, as does my SIL and oldest sister, and it can be torture at times when I'm visiting them. I do think incense or potpourri would work wonders. A nice apple/cinnamon potpourri.

At any rate, do post again after giving my suggestion a try to let me know what sort of success-rate you had with it.

[ButterflyBreath]

What I just realized is that incense would cover up the smokey smell with another carcinogen! So, incense wouldn't help with anything but make it smell better, which would be nice but not healthy. Maybe he had a friend over and the friend smoked so I thought it would stop but he's smoking again tonight. I'll keep you posted.

[Mrs-M]

My most popular/favourite homemade potpourri recipe is plain old cinnamon sticks, but the possibilities are endless. A little vanilla bean, a few cloves, whatever you desire.

[Zoe Girl]

My girls both started smoking at 15, hid it from me for awhile but still it is around me. When i had my larger house I kept it all in the garage easily, in this house sometimes there is smoking that sneaks into the house. Even though I have struggled with smoking since a year or 2 into my girls smoking I still hate the smell on anything. There are frebreaze prducts that make it smell much better but not address the inhaling of the smoke.

i would still ask if smoking is allowed in the building or if they can do anything to preserve your air space.

[Float On]

I'd be making a call to the landlord. When you rented and were told your apartment was non-smoking that lead you to believe the entire building was.
That is one reason I won't stay in Hilton hotels. They still allow smoking on some floors but have non-smoking rooms above them. Makes no sense.

[ButterflyBreath]

Called the landlord today. She said the whole building is non smoking and to put my complaint in writing. She seemed very concerned and wanted to know who it was. Now I just need to figure that out. I'm pretty sure it's the guy beneath me but I don't want to falsely accuse. I don't have a really good sense of smell from so many sinus infections (another reason why I don't want cig smoke around) and will probably have to go sniff at doors! Thanks for your replies.

[treehugger]

Good for you. That's the perfect way to handle that. Good luck sniffing out the source. :)

Kara

[redfox]

Called the landlord today. She said the whole building is non smoking and to put my complaint in writing. She seemed very concerned and wanted to know who it was. Now I just need to figure that out. I'm pretty sure it's the guy beneath me but I don't want to falsely accuse. I don't have a really good sense of smell from so many sinus infections (another reason why I don't want cig smoke around) and will probably have to go sniff at doors! Thanks for your replies.

Frankly, it's not your job to figure out who it is, that's the landlords job. You can surmise, but they hold the power, AND the responsibity. Sniffing at doors is up to them - this is a significant boundary thing. I strongly encourge you to not do their job.