Question for smokers

googler

I used to live in a ground floor flat and had a deaf old lady living above me who was no bother at all. When she passed, a young bloke moved in, and he obviously didn't want smoke in his flat, so he would lean out of the front window, and when finished would drop his fag-ends on the pavement. Since I had the 'main door' flat below, mother nature would obligingly provide some wind to gather them all together and leave them in the recess of my front door.

For me, it typified the self-centred, couuldn't-care-less-about-others, godawful selfishness of the typical smoker.

And don't get me started on the street bins or cigarette bins with the stubbing-out plates on top, where the stupid smokers stub out the cigarettes and then leave them there to blow all over the street. The idea, surely, is to stub out, then use the bin?

AnotherJoe

suki1964 wrote: »

That's a rather sweeping statement

Agreed but since the OP will be making a sweeping appeal to all the smokers, it seemed fair to make.

And since they arent smoking in their apartments (by virtue of rental agreements maybe?) and wont do it in the rain, seems clear OP is on a loser. Should move to somewhere where such an issue cant arise by virtue of the building design.Such as no communal hallways, or a sprinkler system in them.

maninthestreet

Aren't there smoke detectors in the communal areas ???

davidmcn

maninthestreet wrote: »

Aren't there smoke detectors in the communal areas ???

Pretty unusual for there to be a communal fire alarm system for a "normal" tenement block - and if there were, I don't think residents would take kindly to being evacuated just because it's detected someone having a fag.

TBagpuss

I think if you leave a note I would phrase it slightly differently. e.g.

"Please do't smoke in the hallways and communal areas, as it could create a fire hazard, and the smoke gets into the flats / appartments"

I'm not a smoker, and would find the situation you describe deeply unpleasen, but I think a lot of smokers will have faced criticism, rudenbess and attitude from non-smokers, so a specifc statement that the smoke affects non smokers may not be the best way to go. A more general note that the smoke gets into the flats (which is presumably not something the smokers themselves want, otherwise they would perhaps be smoking in the comfort of their own homes, rather than in a stairway or hall) might be more effective as it doesn't make it about smokers vs. non-smokers.

Is there any outside space which could be used as a smoking area? Being able to suggest an alternative might make people more willing to cooperate.

In the mean time, you could look into getting an air purifier with appropriate filters - if most of the issue is with smoke coming in through your door then one in the hall might reduce the amount of smell in your home - and possibly suggest to the other tenantsor the landlords that they get one fitted in the hallway to try to reduce the amount of smoke hanging around.

(I am asthmatic and am very sensitive to cigarette smoke, and cigar smoke can put me in hospital, so I have huge sympathy for you, but at the same time, the smokers are not breaking the law.

And it is likely that they don't realise how noticeable the smell is, my experience is that smokers are normally de-sensitsed to the smell and don't realise how much it lingers, or how is carried on clothes, hair etc.)

kentrel

TBagpuss wrote: »

Is there any outside space which could be used as a smoking area? Being able to suggest an alternative might make people more willing to cooperate.

This is what makes it so frustrating. We have a huge "patio" area in front of the building, and are next to a park! Walk right across a quiet street and you are at the entrance of a 5 mile network of paths and parks! There's never been a more welcoming environment for outdoor smokers.

bod1467

Except in Scotland there's a fair chance it will be raining.

Is there a covered outdoor area that could become a smoking shelter?

TBagpuss

bod1467 wrote: »

Except in Scotland there's a fair chance it will be raining.

Is there a covered outdoor area that could become a smoking shelter?

Yes, I was more thinking about any garden space where you could have a gazebo or something so there was a sheltered area

[Deleted User]

kentrel wrote: »

This is what makes it so frustrating. We have a huge "patio" area in front of the building, and are next to a park! Walk right across a quiet street and you are at the entrance of a 5 mile network of paths and parks! There's never been a more welcoming environment for outdoor smokers.

Smokers are probably the least likely part of the population to enjoy healthy walks. I'm a smoker myself, and do enjoy walking but I'd probably be reluctant to go for a walk to do so.., particularly in this country's climate. What's welcoming for you isn't the same for everyone. 10-20 walks a day is probably stretching expectations a bit lol.

Probably a way around the problem is to have a smoking shelter built outside the building.., but most freeholders won't bother of course.

I don't really get the PC reaction to writing notes as being 'passive aggressive' lol. Passive aggression is a much more iffy thing than writing a note. Surely its better to write a note than indulge in what could be a confrontational conversation? The chances of confrontation surely rise when you have to talk with numerous neighbours lol? Mind you even writing notes isn't my thing, I'd just put up and shut up until I could move.

Slinky

davidmcn wrote: »

No, it isn't.

Not that it helps the OP as s/he's in Scotland but yes it is illegal in England http://arma.org.uk/downloader/ptq.pdf