The UK government has already pledged to end smoking in England by 2030, according to BBC article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-49079515

However, many people still struggle with passive smoke and tobacco smell in their own homes, particularly in flats & terraced housing. On a day to day basis, many individuals are suffering with asthma and respiratory problems, as a result of this. And, they are not able to find a solution to this (as it is legal for home owners to smoke in their properties and balconies). 

Smoking inside flats or terraced housing (or 'outside' on balconies') can result in the following:

- Private nuisance ('statutory nuisance'), i.e. a resident cannot enjoy the comfort and environment of their own home.  

- Passive smoking, i.e. injurious and harmful to health. Second hand smoke isn't just unpleasant, it can be damaging your health too. People who breathe in secondhand smoke regularly are more likely to get the same diseases as smokers, including lung cancer and heart disease. 

- The smell of stale tobacco inside neighboring, your own and also properties. This makes the properties harder to rent or sell, lowering its value in the market. 

- Environmental and Social factors, i.e. smoking in areas where families reside creates challenges and wrong pretenses for young kids

At the moment, there is nothing residents who are subjected to the above can do to improve their living conditions, other than file a private nuisance covered by the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

As you cannot choose your neighbors, and therefore your living conditions, I plee to the UK government to make some changes to back those people who currently have no say and control over their home and environment. 

This petition is to empower the common people, who just want to live a healthy, smoke-free lifestyle. 

To find more information about the harmful effects of passive smoking, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/passive-smoking-protect-your-family-and-friends/