Wednesday, 02 July 2008
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When Secondhand Smoke Seeps In
Papa Koala and I both come from non-smoking families, and we're sensitive to the smell of cigarette smoke. Our neighbors are smokers, and they smoke inside their home. We live in a townhouse that is attached to theirs. When we first moved in last year, we thought that maybe it was the paint or perhaps the previous tenants were smokers and the smell will dissipate over time. But then it got worse, and thus began our adventure with the leasing office and the property management. They were understanding when I explained that I could not compromise the health of my then 2-month-old infant. After all, here are some facts from the American Lung Association:
by Mama Koala- Secondhand smoke exposure causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke. Secondhand smoke contains hundreds of chemicals known to be toxic or carcinogenic.
- Secondhand smoke is especially harmful to young children. Secondhand smoke is responsible for between 150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under 18 months of age, resulting in between 7,500 and 15,000 hospitalizations each year, and causes 430 sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths in the United States annually.
- Secondhand smoke exposure may cause buildup of fluid in the middle ear, resulting in 790,000 physician office visits per year. Secondhand smoke can also aggravate symptoms in 400,000 to 1,000,000 children with asthma.
- The current Surgeon General’s Report concluded that scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
And just a few more from Smokefreegwinnett.com:
- Ventilation systems and designated smoking sections do not protect people from the dangerous toxins in secondhand smoke.
- Secondhand smoke is more than visible "smoke." Ventilation systems are not equipped to filter out the deadly toxins you cannot see or smell.
- In a letter to a medical professional, Honeywell confirmed that their ventilation systems are comfort and convenience products that do not protect public health.
After another deep carpet cleaning and two air duct cleanings, we purchased Sharper Image Ionic Breeze air purifiers for each room (what an expense!) and thought that the nightmare was over. We smelled it on and off during the year, but we would air out the rooms and turn the Ionic Breezes on Turbo Boost... I didn't want to be one of those "difficult" tenants. When I got an occasional headache, I convinced myself that it had nothing to do with the smell and that it was because I didn't get enough sleep.
On Memorial Day weekend, my brother in law visited with his family. We told them to sleep in Baby Koala's room and brought her into ours to sleep with us. When I got up in the morning, my brother in law told me that the entire family had slept downstairs in the living room because the smell of smoke was so strong in the baby's room. He added, "She sleeps alone in that room? It's not healthy for her."
I cried. Not in front of them, but after they left, I cried several times. Since Baby Koala sleeps alone, I never realized just how bad it got in that room in the middle of the night. I tested it out after that weekend, and my brother in law was right. Some nights it was fine, but other nights, the smell of smoke would seep in through the return duct (we opened the vent cover and saw that the duct was made of old wood, which is probably how the smell gets in) and fill the small room. We also realized that weekend that it was coming from the next townhouse.
I felt like the world's worst mother. I had compromised the health of my baby girl because I didn't want to be an annoying, "difficult" tenant. I went to the leasing office immediately, and asked them to send someone to come in and figure out what else could be done. I teared up again as I talked to the leasing manager. A couple of days later, one of the maintenance guys came and caulked up all of the outlets in the neighboring home. He came to do the same with some of our outlets, and then gave me his two cents with a smile:
This is a rental home. You should be more tolerant.
Tolerant of what? Tolerant of headaches and all the possible ill effects that I've been reading about for years? If I can't afford my own home, I don't have the right to try and give my children a safe, healthy environment to sleep in??
After the caulking, the smell got somewhat better downstairs, but some nights it still gets really bad in Baby Koala's room (I've even pulled her out of the crib and slept with her downstairs a couple of times). So we're moving. Believe me, moving is the last thing I want to be doing right now. And I know that moving doesn't guarantee that we won't run into the same problem or worse elsewhere. But we have to try. My baby means more to me than money, time, and a whole lot of stress. She's worth all that, and much, much more.
Maryland passed the law to ban indoor smoking in all public areas earlier this year. That's one of the things we missed about NY, and now that it's here also we feel much better about going to restaurants, bowling alleys, etc. Now I wish they would take it to the next step. They should ban indoor smoking in apartments and townhouse communities where units are attached and smoke can become invasive in neighboring homes.Here's how I see it... People have a right to smoke if they want, but others shouldn't have to suffer because of that right. So, what do you think? Should they ban indoor smoking in attached, multi-unit homes?
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Comments (43)
I completely understand where you are coming from but think of it the otherway around. Just as you have a right to not have smoking in your place, your neighbors have the right to smoke in theirs. The solution I think is to have designated buildings or areas in rental units for smokers and non smokers.
I am actually not a smoker and was selfishly happy to have the ban in Ohio. But I do recognize that just because it benefits me doesn't mean it is the right thing to do.
Moving is the best thing to do. When you go to the rental office just tell them how important being away from smoking is. I am sure they will help you find a place where you can be happy.
Wow. As a smoker, I've been watching the laws and bans and ordinances tighten more and more.
I lived in Oklahoma, one of the first few states to follow NY's lead. But their law was at least fair in the following; restaurants could have smoking sections so long as they were closed off and had their own separate ventilation system, and bars were fair game for smokers as well.
Here in Illinois, where I now live again, the law is not so lenient. No smoking indoors in public places. Period. No bars, no restaurants, etc, not even if they have separate ventilation and sealed smoking sections.
In Oklahoma, there was even a call for a ban on smoking in public parks. OUTDOORS. Thankfully squashed in state congress.
I don't deny that smoking is harmful, certainly to the smoker, and anyone around them. Even in the rain or the dead of winter, I'm more than willing to step outside for a smoke rather than be a nuisance at best, a health risk at worst.
But frankly, the increasing scope of smoking bans are starting to concern me. Certainly, in your case, your child, and for that matter, the rest of your family, should not have to live in an unsafe environment, and I will somewhat reluctantly agree on the issue.
But if we're banning smoking in public, and talking about private places, I just can't help but wonder what the next place will be.
This was the most informative blog I've read in awhile. Thanks for all the information!
Yes, they should ban indoor smoking in attached, multi-unit homes because I wonder how many other people have had to deal with this other than you. No doubt, probably tons. It saddens me that the smoke came into your home, and disrupted your lives. Many people, like myself, have to deal with smoke only in public places (mostly outside, because of the ban on indoor smoking) and that's almost too much for me to handle. But to have it in your home, from a neighbor! That's disturbing to me.
If nobody wants to put a ban on the indoor smoking in attached, multi-unit homes, I think somebody needs to think of way to keep the smoke out of other people's homes. If you don't want it in your home, you shouldn't have it, because it wasn't your choice to have the smoke smell. It naturally came in through the vents. So I feel that there should be a way to keep the smoke away from the homes that don't want it.
I truely hope everything is much better once you move. I would hate to go through that same situation.
Like I said before, I'm a smoker and I have plenty of family who do smoke and I grew up around it and I even had asthma and allergies to it because at large family gatherings, family members would smoke in the house and I'd have bad reactions to it. Burning eyes, coughing that sort of stuff. Now a lot of people may wonder if I had these such bad reactions why did I start smoking in the first place? Who knows. I'm human, I make mistakes...I started smoking. It is true that a lot of smokers hate the fact that they smoke and we find it disgusting even to ourselves. Yet we still do it. I also have plenty of friends who hate smoking and second-hand smoke. When I smoke I'm mindful of almost everyone around me. I don't go walking around blowing smoke in peoples faces. I know a lot of people hate second-hand smoke and even just the smell. If I'm outside smoking or even in a bar where smoke is allowed I try to stay away from my friends that don't like the smoke. But you can't help some things, sometimes we'll be talking and they'll be by me when I'm smoking, I always lean up and blow the smoke way over people's heads to try to keep it away from them as much as possible. Unfortunately, I'm not God/Mother Nature. And if it's outside and I blow the smoke up and away from a friend or person who doesn't like smoke, the wind will sometimes blow it right at them anyways. I apologize to them and take a step back or move around so that if it blows in the same direction again it'll blow back into my face if anything. I'm also mindful of people walking by when I'm smoking, or if I know my neighbors windows are open in their bedrooms I'll walk down the drive-way away from the house and smoke down there. Smoking is my vice and I try to keep it my vice but I don't have complete control over it, but I try to be respectful to everyone and anyone around me. My neighbors even smoke and I try to keep it away from them. I don't plan on smoking the rest of my life, I've never tried to quit yet and hopefully I am able to when I'm ready to give it up. Some people that smoke just are not as considerate of other people as me though, and to me it's stupid that they can't show even some respect and smoke away from children or people who don't like it. I try my best but that doesn't mean I'm always successful. But I do apologize to people if my smoke goes into their face or something of the sort.
I don't think anyone should be allowed to smoke anywhere. It has nothing to do with personal freedom. There is nothing healthy about cigarettes, only lots of bad. It's not like drinking where you can come up with some health benefits. The only reason cigarettes are not illegal has everything to do with money and politics.
Personally, second hand smoke is one of the most annoying things ever. Sure there are so "polite" smokers who try to minimize the effects of their shs, but that's like me standing out in public shooting off buckshot rounds and trying to keep the spray from hitting any bystanders. Oops! A pellet "wafted" into your path. Sorry, I tried.
Absolutely. I totally agree with you. I hope Baby Koala is ok after sleeping in a smoke-smelling room! I'd be so pissed too!!
Smoking is completely unhealthy. I used to smoke, and I quit a few months ago. I didn't even realize that problems I had been having were related to smoking, I always found something else to blame it on. Yes, it's an addiction, but if you really want to beat it you can.
I think if somebody wants to smoke in an apartment building they should have to have a more efficient ventilation system or something... I'm not sure.
And...if you could really smell the smoke from the other room than obviously it's something to worry about.
One simple answer, YES. Several people in my family smoke, as do I on occasion, and I still think that smoking in "privately owned establishments" should be banned. PA finally passed the laws to ban smoking, and boy am I relieved. When it comes to privately rented apartments and attached homes, I do think that landlords should more strictly regulate the issue. Perhaps it would be beneficial for the government to require they restrict their tenants. There's no reason why they can't walk outside for the 3.5 minutes it takes to smoke a cigarette. The effects are known...to the landlord, it's beneficial to ban it because who really wants to live in a gross smoke smelling apartment? The costs to the landlord are astronomical if they want a return tenant (carpet cleaning/replacement, painting, possible fire damage). I think it's definitely something you at least need to confirm with any landlord you're thinking of working with.
I'm so tired of people preaching smoker's rights. As a smoker, and from a social network that contains many smokers, we ALL support the bans. We believe it is not only respectful but a matter of common sense that you do not smoke in an area where it will negatively impact an unwilling participant.
I am a non-smoker, and grew up in a family of no smokers. My father however, does own a bar, and this gives me a little bit of a different perspective. I do think the effects of second hand smoke are exaggerated, and the public smoking ban frustrated me quite a bit. All of the second hand smoking statistics are based on the assumption that a smoker is smoking in the house. The fact that people throw these statistics around, and think that the same thing will happen to them if smoke is coming through the walls is ridiculous. I understand that you want to protect your baby, I don't blame you for that at all. I also understand that you hate the smell, I do too. But it is their right to smoke in their apartment, just as it is yours to complain about it. I'm sorry the situation didn't come to a better ending. Good luck with the move!
Great post! I myself an very senstive to the smell of smoke in my presence =(
@mamaplatypus - AMEN!!! SAID SO WONDERFUL!!!!
soapbox_sara@xanga - you ARE a mean person and you DID blow up on Koala. If Koala's or anyone else's actions bug you, learn to be respectful and be helpful to the situation by calmly suggesting other means of actions rather than loudly ridiculing her for protecting her baby. Being loud and rude only adds to the fire.
My own apologies for being rude to you, but damn...you need an attitude check.
WOW! This became a tense post very quickly.
@soapbox_sara@xanga - As was said by a couple others now, your opinion was stated and that is fine...but it did really kind of come off as attacking. When you come right off the bat and say 'would you people SHUT UP ALREADY' - that is offensive. And have you done the research to show that the American Lung Assosiations stats are false? I would like to see that.
As for the whole second hand smoke thing. I grew up in a family of 7 kids. Both of my parents were heavy smokers. My oldest brother, I and my younger sister have asthma. One of my brothers had cronic ear infections (linked to second hand smoke) and had to have tubes in his ears. I have always hated the smell of second hand smoke and my younger sister and I gave my parents heck for smoking in the house even though they knew it affected their kids. They finally stopped smoking in the house when grandkids came into the picture.
I think that it is totally reasonably to have public smoking bans. And, though I never thought of it before, don't really understand why tobacco is legal either (as an above commentor said). I mean, pretty much every other drug is illegal...why not tobacco? What good does it do anybody?
Yes, there are many responsible smokers...but there are also many irresponsible ones that don't care who else is affected by their smoke.
On a side note, did you know you can actually get a ticket (at least in Wisconsin) for swearing in the presence of minors? Yet nothing about not smoking by them? It is a curious thing.
I could go on and on...but already have...so I'll just stop now. :)
Excuse the intrusion from a Brit with little knowledge of "shared town-houses" but...
Are the air-vents connected to the air-conditioning unit? If not, perhaps you should just think about totally sealing these up (and just opening windows for ventalation).
Also, if it is not possible to seal the vent, perhaps a carbon-filter would help to eliminate any smoke/odour transfer? (I've just found this by Googling: http://www.achooallergy.com/webventfilter.asp?utm_id=800 )
Hope this helps,
Gaz
Well, this has turned into quite the hot topic! ..I agree with you Mama Koala. Even if the statistics are "exaggerated", second hand smoke has an effect on people. That's it. There's no reason why a 2-month old child should have to just deal with it. In this situation, moving may be hard, but you're doing the right thing. Good luck and I hope baby Koala is doing well!
I am going through the same thing with having to inhale someone else's cigarette smoke where I'm trying to live.
It's so bad, I can't breathe and my throat and sinuses are raw.
It's disgusting I have to suffer like this because someone else has the "right to smoke". What about my right to breathe? I'm paying rent also. Shouldn't I be allowed to breathe in clean air? Or are tenant/private home rights only privileged to smokers?
I just signed a year lease and I'm stuck here for the next year. But they're renters in the townhouse next to me and their lease is up in April. I'm going to do everything I can to get them to move out.
I did talk with them in a kind, civil manner and asked if they could do me the favor of not smoking in the room next to mine at night when I was trying to sleep. They flat out denied smoking but I know they're lying. No other house is attached to mine and the cigarette smell only comes when they're home and never when they're at work or out of the house.
I'll get them back good.
Cigarette smoking should be banned and made illegal. Or they should make the manufacturers change the way they make them so that they're not so toxic to everyone.
I have been allergic to secondhand smoke all of my life. I was locked out of restaurants, bowling alleys, and other places because smoking was allowed in those businesses. It's time to let the nonsmokers have access to all businesses and not be shut out because of an unhealthy habit of selfish individuals.
I interviewed with a rental agent for an apartment connected to two other units recently. I told the agent that I had a
the us goverment should ban cigarettes the is no benefit from them. they would gladly rather lose the taxes and have lower health care costs if not a ban then another 10 dollars per pack tax might help. oh and second hand smell of a big mac or herhey bar never killed or annoyed anyone. smokers are just weak self centered ugly people.