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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, Bored Panda 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

The Ceiling Tiles In The Da Nang Airport Smoking Section vs. Non-Smoking Section

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Donkey boi
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like the smoking room at Qatar airport. When I walked in, I didn't feel like I needed a cigarette any more. It was disgusting.

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#3

Smoker's Window Compared To A Non-Smoker

Smoker's Window Compared To A Non-Smoker

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Lavern Defazio
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All that smoke going into a nonsmokers apartment through air vents. Second hand smoke.

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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 Bored Panda, “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

Cleaning A Chandelier From A Smoker’s Home. I Already Cleaned The Bottom Piece, And It Looks So Much Better

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Ovata Acronicta
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I experienced this. I thought the light cover was brown to look antique-ish but it was actually white. Also plastic, which came up when I was criticized because I could have broken the glass.

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#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

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

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#6

I Do Repaints For A Landlord After His Tenants Move Out. This Is A Carpet Of A Smoker After They Moved Their Bed

I Do Repaints For A Landlord After His Tenants Move Out. This Is A Carpet Of A Smoker After They Moved Their Bed

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“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

The Same Type Of Trees, Except One, Has Cigarette Butts As Mulch

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#8

Attention BMW Smokers

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.

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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.

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#10

A New Glove vs. My Cigarette Smoking Glove

A New Glove vs. My Cigarette Smoking Glove

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Karl
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lordy, my fingers used to look like that. Smoked for 25 years and gave up 20 years ago. Best thing I ever did.

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#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

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

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#12

The Results Of 30 Years Of Chain Smoking Inside A Living Room

The Results Of 30 Years Of Chain Smoking Inside A Living Room

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Nicole Mann
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My apartment had been rented to a chain smoker before me they just painted over the walls no stripping or primer. The first time I took a shower nicotine leached through the walls.

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“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

If You Need A Reason To Stop Smoking Cigarettes, Imagine What The Inside Looks Like

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#14

The Light Bulb In A Smoking Room vs. A Non-Smoking Room

The Light Bulb In A Smoking Room vs. A Non-Smoking Room

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#15

My Friend Wet-Vacuumed The Roof Of A Customer's Car Who Was A Smoker

My Friend Wet-Vacuumed The Roof Of A Customer's Car Who Was A Smoker

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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.

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#16

What It Looks Like To Wash 20 Years Of Nicotine Off Walls And Ceilings

What It Looks Like To Wash 20 Years Of Nicotine Off Walls And Ceilings

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Nimitz
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to do this as a kid. Cleaning the house of an old man who passed for an estate sale. I literally had to throw buckets of water at the wall, then quickly mop it off the floor. It was the only way to get it clean

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#17

A Non-Smoker's Remote vs. A Smoker's Remote

A Non-Smoker's Remote vs. A Smoker's Remote

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PeepPeep the duck
Community Member
3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That looks like a new replacement not a non smokers regular control 😂 it’s so fresh out of the box I can smell the plastic

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#18

Curtains From A Smoker's Apartment After Being Dunked In A Bathtub

Curtains From A Smoker's Apartment After Being Dunked In A Bathtub

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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

2 Glasses From A Smoker's House. One Is Washed

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#20

The Inside Of A Smoker's Computer

The Inside Of A Smoker's Computer

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#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

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

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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

Heavy Cigarette Smoke Rental Nightmare

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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. 

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#25

I Was Scared I Was Going To Get Nicotine Poisoning

I Was Scared I Was Going To Get Nicotine Poisoning

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#26

We Just Finished A Challenging Home Cleaning With Nicotine Damage Throughout. We Had To Scrub With A Degreaser To Remove Cigarette Stains

We Just Finished A Challenging Home Cleaning With Nicotine Damage Throughout. We Had To Scrub With A Degreaser To Remove Cigarette Stains

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#27

Inside The Smoker's Car

Inside The Smoker's Car

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#28

Friendly Air Filter Replacement Reminder. Smokers In The House, It’s Been One Month

Friendly Air Filter Replacement Reminder. Smokers In The House, It’s Been One Month

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Foffy Skrimshaw
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any house with an active running ac would look similar. I run a non smoking house and our filters still look that dirty.

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#29

How To Remediate Cigarette Smoke

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).

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#30

I Recently Moved Houses And Replaced The Smoke Detector. This Is What 20+ Years Of Smoking Does To It

I Recently Moved Houses And Replaced The Smoke Detector. This Is What 20+ Years Of Smoking Does To It

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Donkey boi
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well you can detect that there has been smoke, so I guess it worked.

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#31

What 30 Years Of Smoking Does To An Apartment

What 30 Years Of Smoking Does To An Apartment

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#32

My Buddy Cleaned This Crystal Chandelier That Was Subjected To Years Of Indoor Cigarette Smoke. Here Are The Before And After

My Buddy Cleaned This Crystal Chandelier That Was Subjected To Years Of Indoor Cigarette Smoke. Here Are The Before And After

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#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

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

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#34

Me Cleaning The Walls Of A House That Has Been Smoked In For 30 Years

Me Cleaning The Walls Of A House That Has Been Smoked In For 30 Years

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Gabby M
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Walls need to be MOPPED the hell with cleaning cloths ... Spray the heck out of it and mop away.

#35

This Is What 10 Years Of Heavy Smoking Did To My Grandma’s Carpet

This Is What 10 Years Of Heavy Smoking Did To My Grandma’s Carpet

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#36

White Lace Curtains After Being Smoked Around For Over 20 Years

White Lace Curtains After Being Smoked Around For Over 20 Years

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Mia Black
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uuuh I know the stench when it becomes wet. Had to do it for a job. I wanted to gag and never breath again

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#37

Smokers Living Here

Smokers Living Here

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#38

Wireless Access Point (WAP) From The Non-Smoking Area vs. The Smoking Area

Wireless Access Point (WAP) From The Non-Smoking Area vs. The Smoking Area

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bronwyn kaye
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The real question is - Why is nobody cleaning?! I've lived & smoked in my home almost 11 years with 2 or 3 smokers. It's not perfect but NONE of my surfaces or fabrics look like this because they get washed!

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#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

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

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#41

I Finally Got Pillowcases Back From A Relative Who Smokes. Congratulations To Anyone Who Has Successfully Quit Smoking

I Finally Got Pillowcases Back From A Relative Who Smokes. Congratulations To Anyone Who Has Successfully Quit Smoking

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#42

What 30+ Years Of Smoking Indoors Does To A Place

What 30+ Years Of Smoking Indoors Does To A Place

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Lara Verne
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I (non-smoker) was once looking for a rent and they showed me one small apartment. It appeared to be clean, but I could immediatelly smell cigarettes. Turned out previous tenant smoked and landlord cleaned apartment when they left, but smell was still there. Landlord couldn't smell it, because he smoked as well.

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#43

Helping A Friend Flip A House. The Previous Owners Smoked So Much That The Nicotine Is Dripping Down The Walls

Helping A Friend Flip A House. The Previous Owners Smoked So Much That The Nicotine Is Dripping Down The Walls

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#44

The Difference Between A Smoker's And A Non-Smoker's Break Room

The Difference Between A Smoker's And A Non-Smoker's Break Room

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Regina Holt
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one should be smoking indoors. Some of that smoke and smell escapes the room when the door is opened.

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#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

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

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#46

IDog From My Childhood Yellowed From Cigarette Smoke

IDog From My Childhood Yellowed From Cigarette Smoke

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#47

Some Objects Left Imprints On The Tops Of Kitchen Units From A Smoker's House

Some Objects Left Imprints On The Tops Of Kitchen Units From A Smoker's House

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DC
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uh, that't the worst! You have the smoke ... but, you add in no visibility from ground level, steam, evaporating fat and all that condensing atop, ... our lungs, at least, renew themselves during regular operation anyway.

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#48

I Cleaned The Seat Belts Of My Grandpa's Car. Definitely Worth It

I Cleaned The Seat Belts Of My Grandpa's Car. Definitely Worth It

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#49

Smoker vs. Non-Smoker

Smoker vs. Non-Smoker

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#50

Difference Between My Century Old Quadplex Smoking Side vs. Non-Smoking Side. I'm Going To Start Cleaning Walls And Painting This Week

Difference Between My Century Old Quadplex Smoking Side vs. Non-Smoking Side. I'm Going To Start Cleaning Walls And Painting This Week

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