What can I do about 2nd-hand cig smoke coming into my apt via A/C vents, from the upstairs apt?

My apts were built in the 70's but have had good upkeep and maintenance (I thought). The neighbors upstairs chain-smoke, and all day and all night till 5am I am smelling the 2nd hand smoke that comes into my apartment through the a/c vents. It's disgusting and stinks, and makes my eyes burn. What can I do to make the apt mgr do something? I've told her about 4 times, and she says there is nothing she can do about it that I just have to live with it, burn a candle or something! I've been burning candles and it's not taking care of the problem; not to mention the soot the candles put out!! I'm frustrated and at my wits end over this ordeal. Plus when the neighbors DO go outside on their balcony to smoke, they then throw their butts down below on the beautiful lawn or into my Flower Pots! I'm pissed. This is a nice area in Addison where I live, and I try everything in my power to keep my area nice and then "thugs" move in and it all goes to hell. I have a year left on my lease.

What can I do about 2nd-hand cig smoke coming into my apt via A/C vents, from the upstairs apt?
Take up smoking yourself. You won't notice the smoke drifting in.
Reply:See if there are any loopholes in your lease. I live somewhere where people CONSTANTLY would speed through the complex and I finally had enough. I have a lawyer friend and he helped me get out because I was moving because I did not have a sense of expected safety or something like that. 2nd hand smoke is a serious health risk, I assume you could get of the lease based on this. Especially if they never told you that the vents would work this way.
Reply:the prob is, not much, you more than likely have an "abovethetub" A/c unit. the whole ceiling space between the floors is the air return to the unit. So unless the u/s neighbors pull the carpet and seal the floor with plastic sheeting there is nothing you can do. no filters or air purifiers will stop the smoke from getting in. So you will just have to see if anyway out of the lease early. As for any serious health threats, unless the smoke blown directly in your face will not cause anything more than irritation, not cancer like suggested.
Reply:Tell your neighbors to stop smoking! If they don't listen, go to the landlord or the homeowners' association. I'm sure they can give your neighbors the boot.
Reply:See if you can put a filter over the a/c vents, and possibly look into getting a good quality air purifier that you can set in front of it. Your air will be clean and healthier for you to breathe. As far as the cigarette butts go, you need to address this with the landlord, as that's littering, and shouldn't be tolerated. They will most likely be fined if they continue to do so.