I'm about as anti-smoking as you can get. I advocate restricting cigarette smoking to the privacy of one's home. However, there was an article last month in the newspaper that takes things entirely too far.
A mother and daughter are suing their neighbor and landlord for damage they say was caused by cigarette smoke wafting through adjoining walls of their townhome. There was an accompanying photo of the women in gas masks. I kid you not!
The townhome has solid, two-hour fire walls from the foundation to the roof between each of the homes. That, alone, probably precludes smoke getting in. The managers replaced air filters repeatedly, installed sealant-type electrical plates and used an industrial-grade roofing sealant to caulk pipes under their kitchen cabinet. Then they tried to negotiate a move for both tenants. When none of that worked, these ladies still renewed their lease. If they are that sensitive, why didn't they opt to live in a townhome that is smoke-free? Such properties are available in the Dallas area.
The poor smoker who found herself in this situation finally moved to another unit after a judge told her she couldn't smoke in her own home. And the complainant? She's filed suit for disability under the Texas Fair Housing Act.
The mother and daughter also finally moved from the townhome -- their movers wore surgical masks as they worked. The ladies want all their furniture reupholstered, all their artwork restored, and all their clothing professionally cleaned. They say they don't buy cheap stuff -- everything was custom-made. Just look into their eyes -- they may not be red from cigarette smoke, but I'll bet they're green with $$$$$$$$$$.
"Woman fuming over smoking neighbor." The Dallas Morning News; September 30, 2009; p. 1A.
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