Where to report people smoking?

Asked by: Mya Sporer  |  Last update: April 17, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (33 votes)

To report someone smoking, contact your local health department, city/county non-emergency line (like 311 in NYC), OSHA (for workplace hazards), or relevant state agency (like AZDHS or Smoke-Free Illinois), depending on the location and situation, as enforcement varies from local laws (parks, apartments) to federal regulations, often targeting businesses or severe public health violations. For immediate issues in public spaces like parks, notify an officer; for apartments, check local rules and contact your housing authority.

Can I complain about neighbours' smoking?

As a Court of Law, the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal (CDRT) requires a claimant to present "sufficient evidence" to show that their neighbour's excessive smoke and smell causes "unreasonable interference (to their) enjoyment or use of place of residence", he added.

What can I do about my neighbor's smoking?

If your neighbor smokes, start by politely talking to them or writing a letter to find a compromise, then involve your landlord or property manager to enforce lease rules or explore smoke-free policies, and if needed, research legal options like nuisance claims or contacting your local health department for health-related issues, while physically sealing cracks and using air purifiers can help block some smoke.
 

How to report people smoking in public?

  1. Get the name and address of the designated non-smoking area you're in.
  2. Snap a discreet photo of the person smoking on the premises. ...
  3. Make sure to note the time and date of the photo.
  4. Report your information to MOH via WhatsApp at 010-8608949 or the operations room at 03-88924552 (office hours only)

Can I report my neighbour for smoking?

Councils can investigate smoke coming from premises that is classed as a statutory nuisance, this is outlined in the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Is Your Apartment Filled with Secondhand Smoke?

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Can I stop my neighbour from smoking in their garden?

A statutory nuisance can not be created if the issue is caused by "reasonable use". It is considered reasonable for someone to smoke within their own home and in their garden. This however can be pursued as a civil matter which the council would not get involved with.

Can neighbours complain about cigarette smoke?

If you have tried speaking with the neighbour and the issue isn't resolved, report it to your local council. Second-hand smoke is a nuisance and a hazard and should be treated the same as noise complaints. You can also try contacting your local health district to see if they can help resolve the issue.

Where to report smoking?

Members of the public can also report smoking violations via NEA's myENV mobile application, or Online Feedback Form.

What are the laws around smoking?

Smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces has been illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since 2007 and in Scotland since 2006. This has resulted in significant improvements in public health, particularly for children and led to changes in behaviour and attitudes towards smoking.

Who smoked 800 cigarettes at once?

The story of a man smoking 800 cigarettes in under six minutes refers to Stefan Sigmond, a Romanian daredevil from 1996 who attempted this dangerous stunt, attaching cigarettes to a device to inhale smoke from all at once, but Guinness World Records refused to verify it due to health risks and policies against dangerous feats, though he did break a previous record. While there are reports of people smoking extremely high amounts daily (like 200 cigarettes for King Zog I), the 800-cigarette feat is a specific, albeit unverified, event. 

Will the police do anything about my neighbor's smoking?

According to California's Civil Code, anything that obstructs the free use of property and interferes with someone's life or property is a nuisance. “Since smoking marijuana on your own property is now legal, this cannot be resolved by calling the police as a criminal matter,” Rosenthal said.

Can neighbors complain about cigarette smoke?

Landlords or HOAs can be forced to act if no-smoking rules are being violated or the smoking interferes with your right to "quiet enjoyment." Some states and cities treat secondhand smoke as a nuisance, allowing you to sue or take action if your health or comfort is affected.

What can I do if my neighbor smokes?

If your neighbor smokes, start by politely talking to them or writing a letter to find a compromise, then involve your landlord or property manager to enforce lease rules or explore smoke-free policies, and if needed, research legal options like nuisance claims or contacting your local health department for health-related issues, while physically sealing cracks and using air purifiers can help block some smoke.
 

How to deal with a smoking neighbour?

If your neighbor smokes, start by politely talking to them or writing a letter to find a compromise, then involve your landlord or property manager to enforce lease rules or explore smoke-free policies, and if needed, research legal options like nuisance claims or contacting your local health department for health-related issues, while physically sealing cracks and using air purifiers can help block some smoke.
 

What is the most common complaint about neighbours?

The most common complaint about neighbors is noise, including loud music, parties, pets (barking dogs), children, and construction, making up nearly half of all disputes; closely following are issues with pets, property upkeep, parking, and boundary disputes. Other frequent complaints involve poor property maintenance, overgrown trees, trespassing, and nosiness or interfering behavior. 

Do smokers have the right to smoke?

No. Legally, people don't have a right to take a smoke break at work, even outside the building. While it's up to employers to decide if they'll allow smoking during work time, they can also lawfully enforce a smoke-free workplace. In fact, courts have ruled that workers can be sacked for breaking no-smoking rules.

Is it illegal to smoke outside?

Some places in the United States do not generally regulate smoking at all, some ban smoking in certain areas and not others, and some ban smoking nearly everywhere, even in outdoor areas (no state bans smoking in all public outdoor areas, but some local jurisdictions do).

What state has smokers' rights laws?

In four states (California, Colorado, New York, and North Carolina), there is no specific law related to employee tobacco use but smokers are protected under broader state statutes that prohibit employers from discriminating against any employee who engages in a lawful activity. California also has a law that protects ...

Can I report my neighbour smoking?

You may file a neighbour dispute claim at the CDRT if your neighbour causes any of the following examples of interference: Creates excessive noise, smell, smoke, light or vibration. Litters at or in the vicinity of your place of residence. Obstructs your place of residence.

What happens when you text 333888?

What will I get if I text QUITNOW to 333888? You will get connected to free state or national text messaging services to help you quit smoking. Once you sign up for text messaging services, you will receive messages of encouragement, advice and tips for becoming smokefree and being healthier.

Who to contact to stop smoking?

Call the free Smokefree National Helpline on 0300 123 1044 to speak to a trained expert adviser.

Can I do anything about my neighbour smoking?

You can't directly stop a neighbor from smoking in their own space, but you can significantly reduce the smoke impact by talking to them, involving management (landlord, HOA), checking local laws, improving your own unit's sealing (air purifiers, weatherstripping), and ultimately pursuing legal action like nuisance claims as a last resort. The best first steps involve communication and leveraging building rules or local ordinances before escalating to costly legal battles. 

Can you sue someone for smoking around you?

Depending on the facts surrounding a case, a person can be held both civilly and criminally liable for causing secondhand smoke. For instance, civil cases for secondhand smoke often focus on the injuries inflicted on the victim. In other words, they are usually claims found as part of a personal injury lawsuit.

How far away can people smell cigarette smoke?

Studies on outdoor exposure to secondhand smoke have found:

Secondhand smoke odor is detectable at 23 feet from the source and irritation levels began 13 feet from the source.