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Original poster

To complain to neighbours smoking in the garden?

235 replies

Quickncjust4this · 24/10/2020 15:39

Our neighbours have recently installed a canvas covered parabola thing in their garden, with one side (the side pointing towards our garden) left open.

They are now using this as an all seasons smoking shelter. Many times through the day and most evenings they are sat out there puffing away.

The problem is it is completely stinking out my house. The whole of our top floor now stinks of smoke. I've shut the windows be it is still coming in through the vents. I've bought new air fresheners which help but it's still awful.

As non smokers it's really unbearable for us I'm also worried about young children and the health effect to them.

Would I be unreasonable to ask them to stop, or at least to add a 4th panel to their shelter to reduce what reaches our home?

OP posts:
ChocolateCherrybomb · 24/10/2020 16:47

Answer- In mathematics, a parabola is a plane curve which is mirror-symmetrical and is approximately U-shaped.

Pergola definition is - arbor, trellis. 2: a structure usually consisting of parallel colonnades supporting an open roof of girders and cross rafters.

Your description denotes it is neither.

I thought someone so intellectually inclined would know that.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 24/10/2020 16:47

Nah they can have sides. I was looking to get some for mine.

CounsellorTroi · 24/10/2020 16:47

Ask them to reposition the shelter so the open side faces their house. So they get the smoke they are creating.

JinglingHellsBells · 24/10/2020 16:44

It might come under environmental health of your local council along with bonfires and 'smoke-free' zone.

It could be classed as passive smoking. it's also along the lines of anti-social behaviour /noise.

I'd speak to them first and if that doesn't work, talk to environmental health.

Original poster
Quickncjust4this · 24/10/2020 16:43

It may well be a gazebo, it's quite a sturdy one in that case, more like a permanent structure but with heavy canvas sides

OP posts:
McT123 · 24/10/2020 16:39

Pergolas don't usually have sides. Maybe you mean a gazebo?

SazCat · 24/10/2020 16:38

We have something similar, we can smell our neighbours smoke in our bedroom when we have the window open in summer. She has one early at 6-7am and its a horrible smell to wake up to.

We were actually going to put a DC in that room originally but have had our ourselves cos I don't want them smelling it. We haven't said anything, as it's their garden so they can do what they want. It's annoying tho!

jessstan1 · 24/10/2020 16:37

@Sparklfairy

I never understand this. So you're saying that the smoke from a couple of cigarettes has drifted up from ground floor to your upstairs windows, and got through the vents AND managed to stink out your house without dissipating on the way at all? Defying the laws of physics like that is really impressive.
Indeed.

I think it is highly unlikely if not impossible that such a small amount of diluted smoke would cause any health problems. How many of them are there? They cannot sit out there all day and evening every day, most people just nip out into the garden for a quick fag.

Soosiesoo · 24/10/2020 16:34

We get this from our neighbour but it's weed instead. My daughter is in the loft room and the smell gets in, even with everything shut.

It makes me cross that my child is sleeping in a room smelling of drugs!

marveloustimeruiningeverything · 24/10/2020 16:32

They're basically channeling all the smoke out one 'window' of the pergola straight up into your windows. I would ask them to rectify that aspect of their new outdoor hobby.

LakieLady · 24/10/2020 16:31

@MJMG2015

Definitely go and ask them to stop smoking move it to the other side of the garden & face the other way.

It's massively inconsiderate of them to put it where they have. But a lot of smokers are massively inconsiderate Bellends. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I think you'll find that it's wind direction that determines which way the smoke goes, not the way the smoker is facing.
AwaAnBileYerHeid · 24/10/2020 16:30

As long as you approach them politely and friendly and just say would they mind perhaps putting an extra panel on or moving it over a little because the smell of the smoke is coming into your house, then I can't imagine that would be a problem. Unless they are unreasonable people.

Taymom · 24/10/2020 16:30

Same sentiments. I have a neighbor who smoke in their balcony 3 x a day! Since we live next door we can smell the smoke from our window.
We can't do anything about it because legally speaking they can do whatever they want within their property.

We just close our windows whenever he smokes LOL But yeah its kind of annoying and hoping they move somewhere soon haha

LakieLady · 24/10/2020 16:29

@Devillishlypicklypickles

I live in the countryside and when I open my windows it smells like poop. I have asked the sheep/cows and ponies to stop it but they just look at me blankly, so rude.
Huh, you're lucky you can only smell it @Devillishlypicklypickles.

The stable lads from the nearby racing yard let their horses shit in the street, right outside my house, and they don't even bother to pick up after them and put it in a poo bin. Wink

HagarTheHorrible · 24/10/2020 16:28

Utter bollocks but props for resurrecting an old favourite for anti smoker frothers. Haven't seen one since covid appeared.

unmarkedbythat · 24/10/2020 16:26

I smoke. I would want to know I was causing you this problem. I would want to fix it. Blocking the side that faces you and opening the other up seems entirely reasonable.

MJMG2015 · 24/10/2020 16:23

Definitely go and ask them to stop smoking move it to the other side of the garden & face the other way.

It's massively inconsiderate of them to put it where they have. But a lot of smokers are massively inconsiderate Bellends. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Original poster
Quickncjust4this · 24/10/2020 16:22

Devilishly that's a ridulous comment to make isn't it?! Countryside smells are to be expected, can't be avoided and won't do you any harm.
Cigarette smoke is not to be expected (unless you smoke or still live in the 1970's), can be avoided and is incredibly harmful.
Bertie I'm inclined to agree. I don't consider to them to be selfish , as they can't be aware of the level of nuisance caused unless I tell them

OP posts:
BoulangerieBabs · 24/10/2020 16:21

@Quickncjust4this

Boulangerie if you read the thread you would have seen me correct parabola when it was pointed out earlier that I had written it in error
Yes and I'm sulking because I asked first and you never replied
Okbutnotgreat · 24/10/2020 16:20

If they are normally decent people then I can’t see why it would be a problem to ask them to block your side and open the other. If they’re not nice people you could try putting a higher fence pane along side the pergola to try and block the smell a little but personally I’d find a very big powerful fan and direct it at the pergola to blow the fumes back at them.

OP you have my sympathies. They have every right to smoke outside but not to intentionally pollute your house.

Original poster
Quickncjust4this · 24/10/2020 16:18

Boulangerie if you read the thread you would have seen me correct parabola when it was pointed out earlier that I had written it in error

OP posts:
BertieBloopsMum · 24/10/2020 16:18

@Potionqueen

They sound like very selfish neighbours. Feel sorry for you.
There'll only be selfish if they have been told about the situation but don't care/do anything.
BoulangerieBabs · 24/10/2020 16:15

Ffs strike through fail.

Ihatefish · 24/10/2020 16:15

Op I really feel for you. The smell of smoke is disgusting and gets everywhere. I would ask them to move the open side of the shelter (maybe so it faces down the garden (or they could smoke in their house and make it stink)

Devillishlypicklypickles · 24/10/2020 16:15

I live in the countryside and when I open my windows it smells like poop. I have asked the sheep/cows and ponies to stop it but they just look at me blankly, so rude.

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