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An online petition has garnered more than 12,800 signatures, while hundreds of letters have poured into Baker’s mailbox from others dealing with the same situation. Despite the support, Baker is aware it’s an uphill battle.

“I don’t expect it to be easy,” said Baker, who is collecting original signatures through her Airweshare website until Jan. 31. “But I am also optimistic. There are so many reasons why it should be done.”

Baker has modified their home to block the second-hand smoke, which she believes is coming from the suite below her, but without success. The strata council plans to put forward a motion at the March AGM to ban smoking in the building — a move that had failed in the past.

She has also been trying to deal with the issue through existing strata nuisance bylaws, managing to decrease the smoke’s frequency.

Still, her family is already suffering from health consequences from the second-hand smoke, including watery eyes, scratchy throats and headaches.

“It’s ironic the laws are such that we allow our neighbours to poison us by second-hand smoke,” she said.

Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG

Baker said she has no problem with someone choosing to smoke or addicted to nicotine, but the smoker can do so outside the building or use a nicotine patch.

The most common argument she hears against implementing a no-smoking ban is concern over infringing on people’s rights to do what they want in their homes. But someone’s right to smoke in their home shouldn’t extend to compromising other people’s health, she said. “I’m supposed to be respectful of their right to smoke, but they need to be respectful of my desire to breathe clean air.”