Smoking nightmare

LegacyUser

I am 24 and am living abroad for an internship. I'm living in a shared house for interns with 10 other people. Everything was fine at first but now people have started smoking almost every day. This is a massive problem for me, as I'm hugely sensitive to cigarette smoke. The moment someone lights up downstairs, I start getting irritation in my nose and throat which lasts for hours. I also have a precancerous condition that is worsened by cigarette smoke and just the idea of breathing it in at home, while in bed, makes me sick. I have asked the culprits to stop several times now, and they didn't. I informed the manager of the residence and he put a stupid, smarmy letter under everyones door which basically said 'Please do not smoke in the house out of consideration for everyone else.' No warnings about losing deposits or consequences (it's a non smoking house, and this is one of the reasons I moved in!) I am really angry and stressed now. It's bad enough that I can't go out anywhere because smoking in bars is legal here, but I can't even stay in my own house without breathing in smoke. What can I do? What should I say to the manager? I'm upset because he seems to think I'm a whiny person when I really, genuinely, cannot be around cigarette smoke.

cathy01

I think you may have to look around of a non smoking house.You cant change them.I totally understand as a non smoker, the smell of it makes me sick.Cathy

Spore

Sorry not much you can do in that situation. You've asked them to stop - they haven't. You've brought it up with the manager - to no avail. Next step is to move out.

Unfortunately it's a no-win situation. It's obviously a country which is much more permissive about smoking and as such it's one of those 'divine' rights people bang on about. Seriously, move out. There's no winning here and most likely they'll gang up against you if you keep hasseling them.

Cheap Thrills!

Did you pay a deposit?

I would go to the landlord and explain the situation and look for your deposit back.

Then try to look for somewhere with fewer people who definitely don't smoke.

albeit

As a smoker, I understand that it can be very hard to figure how someone can be so sensitive to a tiny bit of smoke coming from downstairs when you are upstairs in your bedroom, as you described. You need to explain exactly how it is affecting you and that you have this condition (pre-cancerous?) that makes it hazardous for you to breath even the tiniest bit of smoke. I am sure they will listen more carefully if you actually explain all of this, instead of them having the impression, as the landlord probably had, that you are just whining about something that does not really bother you.

Firetrap

Is it possible for you to move? Other than asking people around you not to smoke, I don't see what else you can do. The manager doesn't want to get involved in this and possibly doesn't understand what the fuss is about.

RoisinDove

albeit wrote: »

As a smoker, I understand that it can be very hard to figure how someone can be so sensitive to a tiny bit of smoke coming from downstairs when you are upstairs in your bedroom, as you described. You need to explain exactly how it is affecting you and that you have this condition (pre-cancerous?) that makes it hazardous for you to breath even the tiniest bit of smoke. I am sure they will listen more carefully if you actually explain all of this, instead of them having the impression, as the landlord probably had, that you are just whining about something that does not really bother you.

Well there you go, you're a typical smoker who thinks smoke just stops when it reaches a closed door. Smoke from even one or two cigarettes literally gets all over the house. That's the very reason most houses are non-smoking. If it really wasn't a problem, the OP wouldnt even be able to smell it, would they? And they should also be able to use the downstairs areas without being forced to breathe in smoke. I'm sure OP mentioned health conditions when speaking to them. Some people are just incredibly selfish.

albeit

RoisinDove wrote: »

Well there you go, you're a typical smoker who thinks smoke just stops when it reaches a closed door. Smoke from even one or two cigarettes literally gets all over the house. That's the very reason most houses are non-smoking. If it really wasn't a problem, the OP wouldnt even be able to smell it, would they? And they should also be able to use the downstairs areas without being forced to breathe in smoke. I'm sure OP mentioned health conditions when speaking to them. Some people are just incredibly selfish.

I was just trying to help, maybe it is helpful for the OP to see things from a smokers point of view, however wrong the "typical smoker" may be.

I do not think OP should have to consider moving out, this is a very solveable problem. Why should s/he be incovenienced?

dub_3

If you're in private rented accomodation, then just move.
(you've already exhausted all practical options)

However I get the impression you're in accomodation provided by your employer.
Can you confirm this?

If so maybe ask them to move you to different accomodation
(if that's an option).

Explain your health issues to your boss or the HR department.
That would put the onus on them to put you in suitable accomodation.
Or they may put pressure on the 'manager of the residence' to properly enforce the house rules.

You would probably get a result if HR were to tell the other interns that they need to keep to the rules if they want to remain in the (presumably subsidised) accomodation. Or that there could be disciplinary action or termination of internship if they don't follow the rules.

Bottle_of_Smoke

albeit wrote: »

I was just trying to help, maybe it is helpful for the OP to see things from a smokers point of view, however wrong the "typical smoker" may be.

I do not think OP should have to consider moving out, this is a very solveable problem. Why should s/he be incovenienced?

If he/she is this sensitive to smoke I don't think its worth risking staying put. 10 other people there, I get the impression many smoke. Also the ones who don't smoke may have friends who do and will smoke if they're over.

The OP shouldn't have to move out but in this case I think health is more important than principle.

Your previous post was spot on, most smokers just don't get the effect cigarettes have on non-smokers. So when the OPs flatmates come in drunk they're going to light up without giving it a second thought.

LoGiE

Right so the place was advertised as a non smoking house, well firstly you need to check if there's anything about the house being non-smoking in the lease. If there is, the tenants that are smoking are breaking it and your landlord needs to take action.

If the accomadation was provided by your employer go to your HR department and have them deal with the land lord.

Have you spoken with any other non smokers in the house to get there views. The more people that approach the land lord the better the chance they will take action.

Have you spoken to any of the people smoking? They too will have known it was a non smoking house when they moved and are just chancing there arm. Do not let yourself be bullied out of you home, you are in the right here.

Good Luck.

LoGiE