Uh K. Here's the issue: We've lived in this house for almost 12 years - first owners, new, etc. Our old neighbors were great. However, they moved out and we got these neighbors in who just aren't friendly and are....let's just say, on a different level. Large, noisy truck, loud music, etc. They don't talk to anyone and don't wave, but that's fine.

Anyway, live and let live, but the problem is that they are smokers. My son and I are very sensitive to smoke (I get nauseous), we've allergies, and my daughter has a lot of breathing issues, on breathing meds, etc. Right now she's healthy, but I still have to have her on the machine twice a day for prevention during this season. Our lovely neighbors sit outside and smoke, and it drifts over the wall into our yard, making it hard to breathe.

I don't think there are any legal protections we have. They are on their own property, but are making mine unenjoyable. We literally cannot be outside when they are. I can't send my kids outside to play! I don't think I can really go over and ask them not to smoke out back. Our walls are block, so it's not like they can even see when we're outside. Any ideas? It's just too bad you can't enjoy your own home or have your kids play outside. Their enjoyment of their outdoors is polluting my air and making it dangerous, especially w/the breathing issues. It's bad enough I smell their dog doodoo, but at least that's not hazardous to our health!

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Do you have a portable fan that you can put out to circulate the air back in their direction? I have no idea how large an area we are talking, but I'm figuring it's small if their smoke is drifting and bothering you THAT much. Otherwise, I have no suggestions for you.

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My only advice would be to get a couple of standing, oscillating fans that you could use when you're outside. That way if the neighbors go outside to smoke, then the fans would re-direct or, at least, defuse the smoke for you.

I know how it is. I have asthma and I'm very sensitive to smoke of any kind. If someone in the car ahead of me is smoking I can smell it!

We use a larger oscillating fan in our backyard to help keep the bugs at bay. Ours isn't rated for outdoor use but I bet you could find a few that are.

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Unfortunetly I do not think there is anything you can do. When we lived in an apartment years ago our landlords lived above us and they hated smoking, so when our other neighbors moved and tried to smoke, they were told No, not even on property.

But I am assuming your new neighbors and homeowners as well, so it IS their property. If they were nice and friendly I would suggest talking to them once you came to know them, but I don't think that will work either.

A fan might work, but you may just have to avoid being out when they are.

I am a smoker. I also smoke outside because I don't want to smoke in the house around the kids. It is my choice to smoke, my kids don't have a choice. It is the same with your kids. They don't choose to smoke, so they shouldn't have to deal with it. I would talk to them and tell them exactly what you wrote here. Most smokers that I know don't want to bother other people with it. It I were your neighbor, and you told me that the smoke was bothering your children, I would smoke somewhere else. No one should be exposed to smoke that doesn't choose to be.

I think the fan idea is your best bet. Even if you spoke with them, I don't see another option for them. They might be smoking outside to avoid doing it in their home and I don't blame them.

Of course, they could always quit! lol

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I agree with the others, I think the fan or staying inside is about your only option. They probably don't realize they are bothering you and your family, but I am guessing that they don't want to smoke inside their house.

My FIL lives with us and smokes. He always goes outside, but we live in an area that it would not bother people because of the way the houses are sitting. If it were bothering someone, he would be willing to get up and move to the other side of the house to smoke. Maybe your neighbors would be willing to smoke on the other side of their house so it would be less smoke getting to you.

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