• March 29, 2024

Smokers fined for affecting neighbor’s quiet life

Taiwan’s New Taipei District Court ruled on Monday that a man and his son should pay NT$24,900 (US$753) to a woman for letting the smell of the smoke from their cigarettes enter their neighbor’s apartment, according to a story in The China Post.

The woman, named only as Chen, filed a suit in court stating that since Hung [the only name given] and his son moved into an apartment downstairs from that of Chen’s in December 2013, their frequent smoking in the bathroom, on the back balcony and in the elevator had caused hazardous substances to infiltrate into her home through public air ducts, subjecting her to second-hand smoke.

Chen, who said that the fumes from the smoke had caused her to suffer from coughing, sneezing and breathing difficulties on numerous occasions, and had affected her nervous system and circulation, had sought NT$50,000 in compensation for mental distress.

The Hungs countered that there were more than 10 smokers in the community and that the smell at Chen’s home could not be solely attributed to them.

The judge said that Chen’s numerous photos of her air cleaners, which displayed yellow or red lights, indicated the fumes had seriously affected her quiet life and had exceeded the bounds of what a reasonable person could be expected to tolerate.