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Original poster

Second hand smoke/smell

9 replies

MegaBlox6 · 27/10/2023 19:57

My next door neighbours are both smokers. One also smokes weed. DH and I are not smokers. We have a toddler.

The issue is my spare room is starting to smell of cigarettes. The room is at the back of the house, above the garden, and they smoke in their garden next to my house. I don't know whether or not they also smoke indoors.

I know I can't stop them from smoking, but is there anything I can do to stop the smell getting into my house? We keep the widows shut all the time in the spare room because we hate the smell coming in, but it seems to be coming in regardless. There is vent by the window, which I assume is where it's coming from but surely we can't seal that up as we need it for ventilation?

My toddler is currently in the box room but we have plans to move him into the spare room/bigger room as we're trying to conceive baby number 2, who will then have the box room. But I can't put my child in a bedroom that stinks of cigarettes.

Any advice please?

OP posts:
Antst · 27/10/2023 20:05

One option would be to seal up the vent and put a dehumidifier in the room. My dehumidifier has a sensor so that it only runs when there's a certain amount of moisture in the air (which saves electricity). That's what the vent is for, to prevent mould forming around the window frame from damp air. You could also keep the room's door open as much as possible.

It will cost you a bit more in electricity but not that much more. My dehumidifier was away for a month getting repaired and I didn't notice much of a difference in my electricity bill.

I live where people stand outside and smoke and unfortunately, nothing I've tried has worked to keep the smell out. I think sealing the vent will be the only think you can do. If you use something that can be removed, then you can remove it if mould does become a problem.

timesogin · 27/10/2023 20:50

We have a really similar issue - including having worry about smoke from next door coming into toddlers bedroom.
We have bought a hepa air purifier and it is working really well...

Antst · 27/10/2023 20:55

timesogin · 27/10/2023 20:50

We have a really similar issue - including having worry about smoke from next door coming into toddlers bedroom.
We have bought a hepa air purifier and it is working really well...

That's a great idea. OP, I have a new dehumidifier on the way that also purifies air. I have asthma, so hope that it'll remove mould-causing moisture and maybe cigarette smoke. It's not cheap but I just wanted you to know that such a thing is available.

Original poster
MegaBlox6 · 27/10/2023 21:17

Thanks, I'll definitely look into getting a dehumidifier/air purifier combo...how big are they, and is my toddler likely to fiddle with it? 😂 @Antst I also have very brittle asthma so the cigarette smell/smoke isn't good for that, but I'm more bothered about son. Do you think I'd still need to seal up the vent with the air purifier?

OP posts:
Antst · 27/10/2023 21:30

MegaBlox6 · 27/10/2023 21:17

Thanks, I'll definitely look into getting a dehumidifier/air purifier combo...how big are they, and is my toddler likely to fiddle with it? 😂 @Antst I also have very brittle asthma so the cigarette smell/smoke isn't good for that, but I'm more bothered about son. Do you think I'd still need to seal up the vent with the air purifier?

Mine is a large one (12 litres) and it comes up to just below my knee. It's about as wide as one and a half of my hands.

It doesn't get in the way but you'd probably want to put it in a corner where your toddler wouldn't knock it over. There is a compartment where water collects (you'd want to empty it every few days to a week). I doubt your toddler would be able to remove it and be at risk, but you might want to go to a shop instead of buying online and confirm for yourself. Also, some are louder than others, so you'll want to test them.

I would first try an air purifier without going to the trouble of sealing up the vent (if you go away on holiday, you won't want to have to worry about moisture build-up when the dehumidifier is off). I don't know for sure whether that will be sufficient. If it isn't, you can consider sealing the vent then. I'm about to find out the same thing myself when my new air purifying dehumidifier arrives next week!

Original poster
MegaBlox6 · 27/10/2023 22:02

Thanks @Antst @timesogin I had no idea where to begin and tbh feared there may just not have been a solution to this so I'm so relieved to find there is something I can do. Looking forward to an exciting weekend ahead of researching air dehumidifiers/purifiers 😀

OP posts:
Antst · 27/10/2023 22:04

MegaBlox6 · 27/10/2023 22:02

Thanks @Antst @timesogin I had no idea where to begin and tbh feared there may just not have been a solution to this so I'm so relieved to find there is something I can do. Looking forward to an exciting weekend ahead of researching air dehumidifiers/purifiers 😀

That's what I spent last weekend doing!

Original poster
MegaBlox6 · 28/10/2023 13:54

Well I've just ordered an air purifier/dehumidifier, and it is arriving tomorrow. I'm going to get it up and running and see if it is enough on it's own, if not, then I'll seal the vent up too 🤞

OP posts:
Antst · 28/10/2023 19:40

MegaBlox6 · 28/10/2023 13:54

Well I've just ordered an air purifier/dehumidifier, and it is arriving tomorrow. I'm going to get it up and running and see if it is enough on it's own, if not, then I'll seal the vent up too 🤞

Wow, that was fast! I ordered my new one on Wednesday and it won't arrive until Wednesday. I hope it works for you!

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