Cigarette smoke

Are these very small gardens Liz46?
I would have thought that while you will be aware of the smell, the bulk of any smoke and harmful qualities would be diffused into the air before it reached the far side of your garden.
Alternatively, would it be possible to have a fence panel plus trellis and a climbing plant between your back doors to act as a screen?
I do sympathise, but it seems a shame to risk falling out over it.

He's smoking outdoors, in his own garden. I can only suggest that you sit somewhere else, or stay in when he's smoking. You surely can't expect him to stop doing what he likes in his own garden?

Thanks Mawbroon. Yes, they are small gardens and it is only because of my lung condition that I am so badly affected. I agree JustALaugh that he has a right to smoke in his own garden but that deprives me of my right to breathe clean air. We have a good relationship with him and have helped him a great deal recently when he was ill, although I obviously can't go into his house.

Have you asked him if he would mind smoking on the other side of his garden?
He may be unaware that the smoke is entering your house, or is it just the smell you don't like?

Does your lung condition mean you have to avoid traffic Liz?

It could be a problem for you to be in the company of a smoker if you have a lung condition
What happens with your lungs when you smell his smoke ? It will be greatly diffused by the distance and the air it’s going into it would obviously be a problem if you were sitting together but wondering if you are worrying about it more than it actually affecting you
The house adjoining me are smokers and it actually comes down our adjoining chimneys and one bedroom (old Victorian house with bedroom fireplaces) absolutely stinks always
I don’t really see what you can do about it apart from ask him but to be honest I doubt he ll make changes
if the gardens are small it won’t make much difference which side he smokes on is he always out there ?

I am just very allergic to any sort of smoke. I have a condition that is like a bad (non contagious) form of TB and lose the ability to breathe when I encounter smoke. I was probably a bit daft in hoping that someone could suggest something as there is no easy answer. I have been having some awful treatment for the last ten months and hope the condition will improve soon.

Could you break into a coughing fit the next time he starts to smoke at his back door? Lean over the fence and in between the coughs say (with difficulty) "I've been meaning to ask you whether you could stand over at the other side of the garden when you come out for a smoke. Since I've had the lung problem, this is how smoke affects me, even if I am not at the door. I just can't breathe properly. It seems to go straight into any windows or doors that are open, and I can't keep them all closed in this lovely weather."

BlueBelle, thanks for your thoughtful reply. I would not be able to stand next to him while he is smoking. I usually make an excuse and go in but maybe I could be a bit more honest and get my inhaler out! Anniebach, yes I have a problem with diesal. We went on holiday to Cuba this year and they have a fuel shortage. I went out of the hotel and was nearly floored by the exhaust from a moped. Even my husband (who knows a lot about fuel) said it was awful and I was confined to the hotel grounds for the rest of the holiday. The grounds were beautiful so it wasn't such a big problem.

Thanks Elegran. That is what I have been trying to pluck up courage to do. I don't think he has any idea how badly affected I am. He does love his smoking.

Plant a tall leafy shrub your side , the leaves help clean the air

You have my sympathy Liz, I would also find it hard to breath. Some sort of barrier as already suggested would probably be helpful. Or perhaps a small mask, diy type?

Actually that mask idea may work. I have some for when I do any dusty jobs. I am very tuned in to the click of his lighter and make a dive to get in and close the door but I'll try putting on a mask. I'll look a bit daft sitting in the sun in a mask! Incidentally the neighbours on my other side said 'How on earth do you stand the smoke. It's bad enough in our garden'. I hadn't mentioned to them how much it bothers me.

What does he smoke if it drifts two gardens away

I know 'Blue Label' comes into it somewhere. I think it could be the large number he smokes and the full ashtray that's the problem for us and other neighbours. I always used to look after his house when he went to stay with his daughter but my OH has to do it now. The neighbour went away for six weeks leaving a full ashtray which my husband emptied and washed as the smell was so bad. We don't usually touch any things, other than post and plants but a management decision was made!

Mask sounds the way to go no matter what you look like if it keeps you safe and stops a falling out How miserable not to be able to go out on holiday even though the gardens were nice waste of big money to sit in the hotel gardens all holiday
Do you have a nearby park you could go to I know not the same but save all the agro

Yes BlueBelle, we go to the local embankment next to the sea and have a brisk half hour walk (I have a half hour slot before I turn grey and need to rest). My husband (ex forces) looks after me very well but supervises my exercise - got to get your heart rate up!

I feel for you Liz!although I do not have your health issues. We have a very short back garden and the chap at the bottom smokes outside his back door which is right next to our garden wall. The smell is horrid so it must be a worry for you!

That is a tough situation. Other than asking him to stop, I don't think there is a whole lot you can do. I dealt with a similar situation regarding noise one time and there are not a lot of options with that problem, either.