Does Anyone Know What I Can Do About Neighbours Shisha Pipe Smoke

[Treacle71]

I live in a small terraced two up two down property and about 3 years ago new tenants moved in next door. Every night, in the warmer weather, they smoke shisha and the smoke gets into my home. I can no longer open windows in the summer and I am also asthmatic. They have a visitor staying there now and she starts at 8am smoking this stuff right up until 11pm most evenings. I'm scared to start anything with them as I have no support. Any ideas please what I do?

[bednobs]

i dont see how you can do anything. Smoking is not illegal.
All you can do is let them know it's bothering you, but they are not under any obligation to stop

[Tilly2]

You don't have to start anything with them. Just go round and speak to them and explain your situation. Maybe suggest that the smoking is done at the far end of the garden.

[naomi24]

I agree with Tilly. Don't begin with the notion that you will be 'starting' something. I wouldn't mention the smell in your house - telling smokers they stink often offends and hackles rise immediately. Just smile pleasantly, quietly explain that you're asthmatic, and ask if they wouldn't mind smoking a little further from your house. You don't want to come over as a moaner or a killjoy. People don't respond well to either.

[Treacle71]

Thanks guys so far. I may contact the council anon and see what happens there. It's like they've taken over the whole area too and they're only tenants.

[barry1010]

How have they taken over the whole area and what difference does it make that they are tenants?
Shisha smoking isn't illegal so the council won't be interested unless they are causing a nuisance.
Sadly that is not straightforward. They have the right to 'quiet enjoyment' of their property but so do you.

Just have that quiet chat with them, smile and be pleasant, stress your asthma and be reasonable.
Asking them to smoke further down the garden is reasonable.

As they are smoking in the back garden surely you can open your windows at the front? Do you sleep in the front bedroom?

[barry1010]

My friend lives in a flat immediately above a pub, it was a shop when she bought the flat. All of her windows are immediately above the pub smoking area so she is badly affected by noise and smoke. The council aren't interested. My friend has put her flat up for sale

[retrocop]

Turn your lawn sprinkler up on full power. That might extinguish their fire. :-)

[Zacs-Master]

Have you tried putting a fan in the window/s blowing outward?

[Barsel]

My next door but one neighbours sit in the garden to smoke and they sit right near my neighbour's bedroom window (terraced bungalow)
When they have friends round, there is even more smoking and lots of noise, so my next-door neighbour slams her window shut, but it makes no difference.
Treacle if you are worried about speaking to them, why don't you write them a letter and push it through their letterbox?

[Backdrifter]

I echo what others have said: approach them in a polite, friendly manner and make the point that the smoke is bothering you for the reasons you've stated, you're not asking them to cut it out, just to reach a compromise. If they're going to be unpleasant about it, that's a shame but sometimes a friendly word can go a long way. I hope you manage to resolve it.

[ToraToraTora]

are they sitting in the garden? Hose pipe.

[Tilly2]

Using a sprinkler or a hose pipe is not a good idea.

[ToraToraTora]

why not?

[Tilly2]

Because.

[Tilly2]

Got called away.
...because Treacle doesn't want to cause trouble between the neighbours and herself. Soaking them in water would antagonise them and make the situation worse

[roadman]

no one has suggested shutting the window

[Backdrifter]

@roadman - in the question it says that Treacle has resorted to closing the window but it's not pleasant especially in summer. Pay attention!