Really? Is that too a fascist government regulation?
Actually it is. There are very strict NATIONAL codes regarding fire separation and party walls within mutli unit residences. The idea is that if there is a fire in one unit, it will be contained so that until the fire department arrives, the spread of fire to other apartments is prevented.
If you can smell smoke through the wall, it's possible the wall is not properly constructed or sealed. If there was a real fire, the smell of smoke would be the least of your problems. You could be killed.
And if you question the importance of enforcement of fire safety standards, just recall the recent nightclub fire in Rhode Island.