It’s estimated that about 1.3 billion people worldwide use tobacco products. That’s about 16.25% of the entire population that suffers from this addiction and risks developing many health issues, such as breathing problems, heart diseases, infections, dental problems, and even cancer.
Another effect of tobacco that non-smokers might not realize is that it builds up on surfaces like walls, furniture, clothes, and carpets and can remain there for many months. To raise awareness about the consequences of tobacco products, We compiled a list showing what smoking does to public spaces, people’s homes, and possessions. Prepare to be shocked, and don’t forget to let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
While you’re at it, make sure to check out a conversation with Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, who kindly agreed to answer a few of our questions related to the effects of smoking.
#1 The Ceiling Tiles In The Da Nang Airport Smoking Section vs. Non-Smoking Section
#2 I Think Someone Might Have Smoked Here
#3 Smoker’s Window Compared To A Non-Smoker
The proper term to describe what is happening in these photos is thirdhand smoke. Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, explains to We, “Thirdhand smoke is the residue left over from cigarette smoking that sticks to indoor surfaces, even after the smoke is gone.
When someone smokes tobacco, even after they are done smoking and the smoke has cleared the room, chemicals and toxins from the smoke could become embedded in clothing or furniture, or could mix with dust and land on hard surfaces, like countertops.”
#4 Cleaning A Chandelier From A Smoker’s Home. I Already Cleaned The Bottom Piece, And It Looks So Much Better
#5 The Biggest Battle Here Was Smoke Damage And Odors. Sealing Everything Up, Fresh Paint, And New Finishes Did The Job. This Home Sold With Tons Of Offers The First Day On The Market
#6 I Do Repaints For A Landlord After His Tenants Move Out. This Is A Carpet Of A Smoker After They Moved Their Bed
“This is different from firsthand and secondhand smoke, which refers to the smoke itself that’s inhaled, either directly from a cigarette (firsthand smoke) or from being near someone smoking a cigarette (secondhand smoke),” Jamie further tells us.
#7 The Same Type Of Trees, Except One, Has Cigarette Butts As Mulch
#8 Attention BMW Smokers
The last change was about a year ago. The air coming through the vents made me want to gag. If you smoke in your car, I highly recommend checking the filter every few weeks. Never let it get this bad. Alternatively, don't smoke in your car, and this won't be an issue.
#9 Seeing The Smoke Pattern On The Floor Coming From The Apartment
Even though people aren’t inhaling smoke directly or from being near it, thirdhand smoke still poses a threat to those around it. “Some of the chemicals found in third-hand smoke are known to cause cancer,” says Jamie.
#10 A New Glove vs. My Cigarette Smoking Glove
#11 I Saw This Ile De La Cite Painting And Fell In Love With It. Yesterday, I Picked It Up After Being Cleaned, And The Person Said That It Had Years Of Nicotine Damage
#12 The Results Of 30 Years Of Chain Smoking Inside A Living Room
“Scientists and public health experts are particularly concerned about young children’s exposure to third-hand smoke, as they tend to spend a lot of time indoors, and often put things in their mouths,” she adds.
#13 If You Need A Reason To Stop Smoking Cigarettes, Imagine What The Inside Looks Like
#14 The Light Bulb In A Smoking Room vs. A Non-Smoking Room
#15 My Friend Wet-Vacuumed The Roof Of A Customer’s Car Who Was A Smoker
The chemicals from inside smoking are known to remain in spaces that have been heavily smoked in for years. Professor Georg Matt of San Diego State University told Medical News Today that their team even found harmful residue in a person’s apartment who had quit heavy smoking 9 years ago.
#16 What It Looks Like To Wash 20 Years Of Nicotine Off Walls And Ceilings
#17 A Non-Smoker’s Remote vs. A Smoker’s Remote
#18 Curtains From A Smoker’s Apartment After Being Dunked In A Bathtub
However, brief visits to smoker’s homes or public spaces where smoking is allowed shouldn’t cause a lot of worry. Researchers calculated the daily dose from inhaling or ingesting chemicals from thirdhand smoke, which comes to an insignificant amount if we divide it over the years, explains Dr. Hugo Destaillats.
#19 2 Glasses From A Smoker’s House. One Is Washed
#20 The Inside Of A Smoker’s Computer
#21 I Used Clean Freak On My Grandma’s Old Wine Glasses And Tea Cups. 20+ Years Of Dust And Smoke Build-Up. For The Longest Time, I Didn’t Know They Were Supposed To Be Clear
Something that’s a bit more unsettling is the fact that the chemicals from thirdhand smoke can’t really be removed from homes or surfaces without renovations. “Good ventilation, hand washing, frequent laundering of clothes and soft furnishings, and thorough cleaning might help reduce some thirdhand smoke residues, but none can remove all the chemicals from third-hand smoke,” says Jamie. “To avoid potential harm from third-hand smoke, the most important thing is not to smoke indoors or in cars in the first place.”
#22 Heavy Cigarette Smoke Rental Nightmare
#23 What Smoking Cigarettes Inside Does To Your Walls
#24 Smoking Is Bad
The best way to try and clean the residue off is by using an acidic cleaner. Walls should be repainted with two or three coats of paint, but only after being washed, as nicotine can still seep through the several coats. Things like carpets, wallpaper, curtains, and blinds should be replaced; there’s no hope for them. Ventilation ducts, filters for air conditioning, and heating systems also shouldn’t be overlooked in the cleaning process.
#25 I Was Scared I Was Going To Get Nicotine Poisoning
#26 We Just Finished A Challenging Home Cleaning With Nicotine Damage Throughout. We Had To Scrub With A Degreaser To Remove Cigarette Stains
#27 Inside The Smoker’s Car
#28 Friendly Air Filter Replacement Reminder. Smokers In The House, It’s Been One Month
#29 How To Remediate Cigarette Smoke
The previous owner smoked a lot in the basement/workshop. The cabinet white spots are clean spots where I took down some old signs and posters for reference. The second picture is after scrubbing, sanding, and painting the cabinet (the lighting doesn't do it justice).
#30 I Recently Moved Houses And Replaced The Smoke Detector. This Is What 20+ Years Of Smoking Does To It
#31 What 30 Years Of Smoking Does To An Apartment
#32 My Buddy Cleaned This Crystal Chandelier That Was Subjected To Years Of Indoor Cigarette Smoke. Here Are The Before And After
#33 How Do I Clean The Exterior Of This Fridge? The Owners Before Me Lived In This House For 44 Years And Smoked A Lot Of Tobacco
#34 Me Cleaning The Walls Of A House That Has Been Smoked In For 30 Years
#35 This Is What 10 Years Of Heavy Smoking Did To My Grandma’s Carpet
#36 White Lace Curtains After Being Smoked Around For Over 20 Years
#37 Smokers Living Here
#38 Wireless Access Point (WAP) From The Non-Smoking Area vs. The Smoking Area
#39 Nicotine-Stained Walls. This Is From An Apartment I Painted Last Winter. The Left Side Has An Oil Primer To Show The Contrast. It’s Pretty Nasty
#40 Plastic Yellowing Around Plug From Cigarette Smoke
#41 I Finally Got Pillowcases Back From A Relative Who Smokes. Congratulations To Anyone Who Has Successfully Quit Smoking
#42 What 30+ Years Of Smoking Indoors Does To A Place
#43 Helping A Friend Flip A House. The Previous Owners Smoked So Much That The Nicotine Is Dripping Down The Walls
#44 The Difference Between A Smoker’s And A Non-Smoker’s Break Room
#45 Top Drawer – 20 Years Of Smoking Inside, Bottom Drawer – An Hour Of Cleaning With Trisodium Phosphate. Inherited This Oak Bedroom Set From My Grandmother, Who Was A Heavy Smoker For 40 Years
#46 IDog From My Childhood Yellowed From Cigarette Smoke
#47 Some Objects Left Imprints On The Tops Of Kitchen Units From A Smoker’s House
#48 I Cleaned The Seat Belts Of My Grandpa’s Car. Definitely Worth It
#49 Smoker vs. Non-Smoker
#50 Difference Between My Century Old Quadplex Smoking Side vs. Non-Smoking Side. I’m Going To Start Cleaning Walls And Painting This Week
#51 They Replaced Two Ceiling Tiles At A Bar That Allows Indoor Smoking
#52 Helping My Friend Clean His Grandma’s Apartment. She Smoked A Lot
#53 40 Years Of Nicotine Smoke And Dirt Steam Cleaned From My Grandma’s Wall
#54 A Gentle Reminder – Don’t Smoke Around Your PC Indoors. This Is So Much Work
#55 If You Are A Smoker, Do Not Buy A White Case
#56 I Cleaned Smoke Stains Off Of A 1970 Living Barbie. Left Is Before, Right Is After
#57 Don’t Smoke Around Your Computer
#58 Nicotine Over Sonic Blue On A ’66 Strat. Not Too Much Damage, Just Dirty
#59 Outlines From 20 Years Of Cigarette Smoke
#60 One Of My Best Before And Afters… Heavy Indoor Smokers And Not Cleaned In 10 Years (Residential)
#61 Previous Tenant Used To Sit On Her Porch And Smoke Everyday For The Last 15 Years
#62 What’s The Best Way To Remove 12 Years Of Nicotine/Tar Stains From Cinder Block Walls And A Cement Slab?
#63 This Is What 5 Years Of Smoking Does To Headphones
#64 The Difference Between A Keyboard That Was Used For Years And A Brand New One
#65 The Roof Lining Of A Chain Smoker’s Car Mid-Vacuum
#66 “I Only Smoke Occasionally In Front Of The PC”
#67 A Smoker’s PC. The Fan Was Originally White, The Whole Thing Was Covered In Dust And Tar, And It Smelled Awful
#68 Before And After, Getting Started On Restoring My First Home. Horrible Smoke Damage To Everything. Magic Erasers Saves The Day
#69 Cleaning Of This Wonderful Portrait And Removing Nicotine Residue
#70 My Handprint On A Rag After Cleaning A Ceiling Stained With Cigarette Smoke
#71 Don’t Smoke, Kids
#72 I Should Remove Nicotine Stains From These Consoles
My neighbor gave me a huge collection of classic games and consoles. She wants to sell it all and split the profits with me. These consoles sat out in a living room for many years with three smokers. There's heavy UV discoloration and nicotine stains. The SNES and N64 controllers have already been covered with vinegar and a magic eraser. Any tips on getting them to look better?
If it weren't for the nicotine staining, this stuff would be in almost perfect condition. A few dozen Nintendo Power magazines and guides came with the pile of games and consoles.
#73 The Way It Should Be vs. Damaged From Nicotine. How Can I Possibly Clean/Repair A Bunch Of Amiibos Ruined By Indoor Cigarette Smoke?
#74 6 Years Of Nicotine Smoke
#75 Nicotine Stains In The Carpet In The Bedroom Directly Above The Garage That My Partner’s Father Smoked In For 20 Years
#76 The Way Paper Browns After Being Exposed To Cigarette Smoke For Years
#77 Removing Cigarette Residue From Chessboard And Pieces
I recently received my late father's chessboard and pieces. However, over a decade's worth of cigarette tar has accumulated on the surfaces due to my grandmother's bad habit of smoking indoors. The pieces are wood and metal, and the board is wood with a polymer sheet protecting the surface. The polymer is cracked in several places. I hope some of you might have tips for cleaning or restoring this to a condition in which I can play it without wearing gloves. Currently, the resin sticks to my fingers after touching the pieces only once or twice.
#78 This Is The Only Thing I Got From My Grandmother And I Was Wondering How To Make It Shine As Bright As It Did Before. She Smoked A Lot, So I Believe This Is From Nicotine
#79 Smoker And Non-Smoker. You Decide Who’s Who
#80 Just Moved Into A House. The Family Before Me Were Heavy Smokers, So The Deck Was Gray From The Ashes. I Might Need To Do A Bit Of Sanding And Wood Stain Again, But It Still Feels Better
