your neighbours might be clueless and inconsiderate, but at least their incessant smoking isn’t putting your family’s health at risk.
“the exhaled smoke coming through a window from a neighbour’s porch would be so diluted by the normal atmosphere to be inconsequential,” says dr. paul wheatley-price, president at
lung cancer canada
and medical oncologist at
the ottawa hospital
. “the issue is really about re-breathing smoke in a confined environment — living with someone who smokes in the house, for example.”
that said, just because you don’t have to worry about the dangerous toxins, it doesn’t mean that you have to tolerate the smell.
you can try a direct approach and let your neighbours know that smoke drifts into your home and is difficult to air out. ask them if they would consider moving away from the property when smoking, at least in warmer weather, so that you can circulate fresh air indoors.
if you feel like a medical reason can make the whole thing feel less awkward for you, you can say that the smoke is aggravating seasonal allergies or asthma for you or your children. if an elderly parent or relative is due to visit your home soon, blame it on them.
experts
suggest that people who typically avoid confrontations and difficult conversations worry about their likeability, but what they should be doing instead is addressing the issue head-on. you don’t have to have a shouting match with your neighbours — try to be casual and friendly and insert the issue into an existing conversation.