you already answered your own question. and youre the one who asked "What can I do with the smoke?" in fact, its the title of the thread.

 

I would try this in addition to whatever else you do as a more permanent solution.

 

But because of what they do in their own property is affecting me, can I complaint? Just like we can file a noise complaint against the noisy neighbors, right? The thing is I don’t want to stiff up the situation and I don’t know if I can even complaint about cigarette smell. They have been pretty neighbors except for this thing…

 

I suppose... But I think I am just going to keep the windows closed whenever they smoke. I actually don't own a fan because I have central AC/Heat/Air system

 

yeah i hear ya. you dont want to be an *** but dont want to smell smoke any more. try the fan thing. it doesnt take a lot of effort. if that doesnt work, there are really only three solutions:

1. deal with it
2. complain to them in person
3. complain to some authority (which i have no idea who to talk to)

 

Well, I thought of one way... But I need to know if there is some kind of law or rules or something (I need to check my CC&R again) that says generating any kind of odor that could potentially flow to nearby units (neighbors) is prohibited. If I can find something stating that, then I can ask the HOA manager to note it in our news letter or send out a letter to ALL units regarding this matter (We get these types of letters from time to time; picking up animal droppings, slamming doors, etc). When it's send out to ALL units, then I can get the message across without stiffen the situation.

 

ask them to go farther away when they smoke...if they're rude about it, keep your windows shut for a while and leave a porkchop out on your balcony...in few weeks you'll have a compromise.

When people used to be allowed to smoke in public areas like elevators my friends and I carried around cans of "Fart Spray." We would just spray that stuff which smelled like someone took an egg fart in your mouth. They would get so mad...then we'd just laugh, because we were actually getting them back in such a perfect way..it just felt right.

If you've ever seen the stuff it comes in an orange can with black writing.

 

fart spray? damn, I didn't even know they have such a thing! The only thing is I am upstairs so it might be difficult to get that 'fart' smell down to them. Worst, it might blow back towards my living room!

 

While I sympathize with your situation, this is one of those situations where your preferences may be interfearing with someones rights (wether it's a good right or not). Of course, if your complex has the rule about odors they may be breaking a rule. But other than that, it's up to you to deal with it.

They could just as easily say: Why should we change what we're doing because of your preferences?
Not trying to be rude at all, just want to put the perspective out there.

 

I know exactly what you are saying and I agree, that is why it's so hard for me to do ANYTHING about it. Damn this sucks!