An expert on housing and communal services spoke about fines for neighbors smoking in an apartment

If tobacco smoke from an apartment penetrates into a common corridor or neighboring rooms, this may be classified as a violation of the established procedure for using residential premises, as well as causing harm to the health and property of other citizens. Dmitry Bondar, an expert on housing and communal services, told about this on Tuesday, May 13.

The expert recalled that the law "On Protecting Citizens' Health from exposure to ambient tobacco smoke and the consequences of tobacco consumption" prohibits smoking in stairwells, elevators, corridors and on shared balconies. Its violation entails administrative liability with a fine of 500 to 1,500 rubles, he added.

"Smoke entering other apartments can be classified as a violation of sanitary and hygienic standards. The SanPiN sets acceptable levels of air pollution in residential areas. In case of systematic violation of these norms, a citizen has the right to contact Rospotrebnadzor," the expert explained in an interview with Lenta.Ru .

A citizen can also file a lawsuit on the basis of an article of the Civil Code on the protection of their rights to own and use property. The court determines the amount of compensation individually, but even amounts of 5-15 thousand rubles are found in judicial practice, Bondar noted.

"To initiate the process, the tenant is advised to first contact the management company with a request to organize an explanatory conversation and check the ventilation. Next, if there is no result, apply to the district police officer. In case of systematic violations — to Rospotrebnadzor and the court," he concluded.

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Earlier, on April 21, lawyer Ilya Rusyaev said that the company could punish an employee for frequent smoke breaks during a shift. Disciplinary measures, including dismissal, may be applied to an employee for a systematic violation.

According to the expert, in some cases this can affect the calculation of wages. Any violation of the performance of work duties during the working day for no reason may result in a violation of labor discipline.

In February, Bondar said that smoking on the balcony or in his own home is not prohibited, but if smoke from cigarettes or vapes enters the apartments of neighbors, this may be considered a violation of their rights, writes Pravda.Ru .

According to him, if neighbors encounter a similar problem, they can contact the violator with a request to eliminate the discomfort caused, RT reports.