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50 Gross And Disturbing Pics Of Things And Places That Just Scream “A Smoker Used It”
Interview With Expert
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.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
The Ceiling Tiles In The Da Nang Airport Smoking Section vs. Non-Smoking Section
Donkey boi 4 months ago
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.
#2
I Think Someone Might Have Smoked Here
#3
Smoker's Window Compared To A Non-Smoker
Lavern Defazio 4 months ago
All that smoke going into a nonsmokers apartment through air vents. Second hand smoke.
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
Ovata Acronicta 4 months ago
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.
#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
Mel Schmidt 2 months ago
True! People are just so freaking gross! Careless and downright icky!
Load More Replies...
Miss Tinker 4 months ago
The smoker doesn’t care about killing themselves, why would they care about a plant?
Load More Replies...
#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
Nicole Mann 4 months ago
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.
“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
PeepPeep the duck 4 months ago (edited)
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
#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
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
#28
Friendly Air Filter Replacement Reminder. Smokers In The House, It’s Been One Month
Foffy Skrimshaw 4 months ago
Any house with an active running ac would look similar. I run a non smoking house and our filters still look that dirty.
#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
Regina Holt 4 months ago
It's gonna take a lot of money to make that clean enough to rent out again.
#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
bronwyn kaye 4 months ago
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!
#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
Lara Verne 4 months ago
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.
#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
Regina Holt 4 months ago
No one should be smoking indoors. Some of that smoke and smell escapes the room when the door is opened.
#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
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What do you think ?
yo mama's cookie 4 months ago (edited)
okay, I smoked for the majority of my life but I never understood how someone can smoke inside their own home. I already hated the awful smell of it on my clothes, why would I ever expose my bed or a couch where I sleep on to it? And the look of it is just as horrible as the smell.. just gross. I'm so glad I quit smoking two years ago and I hope (fingers crossed!) I will never go back.
David Paterson 4 months ago (edited)
Most of these are nicotine stains. But about 15 aren't. Some are vinyl colouring, paint, dirt, sweat, UV damage to plastic and paper, stains from fireplace smoke, deliberately applied wood stains, water damage to decking, degrading varnish, and stains from dirty water.
quentariel 4 months ago
These people were not only heavy smokers, but additionally didn't clean almost at all. My grandpa smoked indoors, but was very clean person. When someone visited, he only smoked outside, but also aired and cleaned really well before. There was a faint cigarette smell, but not much staining at all.
Bailey 4 months ago
Sadly I think in a lot of cases it gets this bad when people get older and less mobile. When your mobility starts to go, you still have the need to smoke, but less ability to go outside or keep on top of cleaning
Load More Replies...
Natalia 4 months ago
On August 1st it will be 2 years since I quit smoking, it was the best thing I've ever done 😊
Shelli Aderman 4 months ago
As an ex smoker, (quit about 20+ years ago), this is very helpful to see!
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 4 months ago
Quit smoking on March 25, 2014. Ten years smoke-free now and so happy! Never going back. Although, even when I did smoke, I didn't do it inside for just this reason.
BookFanatic 4 months ago
My mom was a heavy smoker, then was forced to quit after she broke her leg (did you know nicotine impedes bone growth?). A year or so later she walked by a group of smokers and said "What's that awful smell?" I had to gently tell her that she used to smell like that. And so did her house. And so did I when I came to visit. She was horrified.
Kristal 4 months ago (edited)
These are so disgusting. I hope those painting used that special paint for smoke walls. I moved into a rental and one room was heavily smoked in. Didn't realize until after moving in cause the new paint temporarily covered it. I have a very sensitive nose and have bad health reactions to cigarette smoke ... so it was really bad. I'm so glad there is a special paint but I also suspect they didn't do much cleaning to the walls in the first place.
jasper 4 months ago
My brother runs the anatomy/physiology department at a local college, and has a cadaver lab. He took his kids in there once and showed them the lungs of a smoker. Safe to say, I don't think any of them will ever smoke!
Firefly 4 months ago
One would hope, but I have been around many doctors and nurses that smoke even after having to take care of cancer patients and their tracheotomies.
Load More Replies... Donald 4 months ago
I worked out a deal with my landlord to clean and renovate the apt. I was moving in to for a reduction on rent. The previous tenant lived up there for 15 years and was a heavy smoker. It took me days of scrubbing to get all the tar and nicotine stains off the walls, windows, floors, ceilings, ect. I hind sight, there is no way I would do that again, but I'm happy I did. Knowing him, he would've had someone come in a do a half assed job and charge me through the nose for it. I'm a former smoker so cigarettes don't bother me but filthy homes certainly do.
Angela B 4 months ago
My Tata was a heavy smoker and smoked inside his own home. After he passed away, I gave ift a thorough clean, but still did not live in it for 2 reasons. 1) I was heartbroken at his passing and 2) Even after a thorogh clean, I still worried about the residual smoke/nicotine in the walls and didn't want to raise my young monster in the house. Although I too am a cigarette smoker, I never smoke inside any home or my car. Ever.
Rebecca Ferguson 4 months ago
In the words of actor Yul Brynner before his death: "Just don't smoke".
Daya Meyer 4 months ago
And this is just what it looks like. Our neighbours are smoking in their living room every day and they live in their apartment for about seventeen years now. Even if they don't smoke, my clothes are smelling like cigarette smoke because every item in this room is absorbing the smoke for such a long time and longer because they brought their furniture with them when they moved here.
Trisec Tebeakesse 4 months ago
Hmm, no ceiling fan photos? My aunt quit smoking a few years ago, and the last time I was at her place in Florida, I tried to clean up a bit. I was afraid I'd have to disassemble the ceiling fans to hand-scrub them with bleach, but surprisingly, ordinary Fantastik did the trick.
censorshipsucks 4 months ago
I once had a house that I bought and it was just like this. It took FOUR coats of paint to cover the nicotine.
Joy 4 months ago
My husband and I bought our house from a smoker. The smell just punched you right in the face as soon as you walked through the door. We ripped out all the carpet and put new flooring in, painted every single room of the house, and even had our vents cleaned. I don't think we would've had to put so much work into it had the previous owner not smoked. It was bad.
Angela C 4 months ago
Reminds me of my parents' old house. They smoked in the house I grew up in for 23 years (none of us kids have any related health issues though, we lucked out). When we were moving out and taking stuff off the walls that had been up for years you could see a huge contrast of what color the walls were supposed to be versus what nicotine stains did to them. They still smoke unfortunately but not in their new house. And my mom has commented on how much cleaner the house is without smoking in it
yo mama's cookie 4 months ago (edited)
okay, I smoked for the majority of my life but I never understood how someone can smoke inside their own home. I already hated the awful smell of it on my clothes, why would I ever expose my bed or a couch where I sleep on to it? And the look of it is just as horrible as the smell.. just gross. I'm so glad I quit smoking two years ago and I hope (fingers crossed!) I will never go back.
David Paterson 4 months ago (edited)
Most of these are nicotine stains. But about 15 aren't. Some are vinyl colouring, paint, dirt, sweat, UV damage to plastic and paper, stains from fireplace smoke, deliberately applied wood stains, water damage to decking, degrading varnish, and stains from dirty water.
quentariel 4 months ago
These people were not only heavy smokers, but additionally didn't clean almost at all. My grandpa smoked indoors, but was very clean person. When someone visited, he only smoked outside, but also aired and cleaned really well before. There was a faint cigarette smell, but not much staining at all.
Bailey 4 months ago
Sadly I think in a lot of cases it gets this bad when people get older and less mobile. When your mobility starts to go, you still have the need to smoke, but less ability to go outside or keep on top of cleaning
Load More Replies... Natalia 4 months ago
On August 1st it will be 2 years since I quit smoking, it was the best thing I've ever done 😊
Shelli Aderman 4 months ago
As an ex smoker, (quit about 20+ years ago), this is very helpful to see!
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 4 months ago
Quit smoking on March 25, 2014. Ten years smoke-free now and so happy! Never going back. Although, even when I did smoke, I didn't do it inside for just this reason.
BookFanatic 4 months ago
My mom was a heavy smoker, then was forced to quit after she broke her leg (did you know nicotine impedes bone growth?). A year or so later she walked by a group of smokers and said "What's that awful smell?" I had to gently tell her that she used to smell like that. And so did her house. And so did I when I came to visit. She was horrified.
Kristal 4 months ago (edited)
These are so disgusting. I hope those painting used that special paint for smoke walls. I moved into a rental and one room was heavily smoked in. Didn't realize until after moving in cause the new paint temporarily covered it. I have a very sensitive nose and have bad health reactions to cigarette smoke ... so it was really bad. I'm so glad there is a special paint but I also suspect they didn't do much cleaning to the walls in the first place.
jasper 4 months ago
My brother runs the anatomy/physiology department at a local college, and has a cadaver lab. He took his kids in there once and showed them the lungs of a smoker. Safe to say, I don't think any of them will ever smoke!
Firefly 4 months ago
One would hope, but I have been around many doctors and nurses that smoke even after having to take care of cancer patients and their tracheotomies.
Load More Replies... Donald 4 months ago
I worked out a deal with my landlord to clean and renovate the apt. I was moving in to for a reduction on rent. The previous tenant lived up there for 15 years and was a heavy smoker. It took me days of scrubbing to get all the tar and nicotine stains off the walls, windows, floors, ceilings, ect. I hind sight, there is no way I would do that again, but I'm happy I did. Knowing him, he would've had someone come in a do a half assed job and charge me through the nose for it. I'm a former smoker so cigarettes don't bother me but filthy homes certainly do.
Angela B 4 months ago
My Tata was a heavy smoker and smoked inside his own home. After he passed away, I gave ift a thorough clean, but still did not live in it for 2 reasons. 1) I was heartbroken at his passing and 2) Even after a thorogh clean, I still worried about the residual smoke/nicotine in the walls and didn't want to raise my young monster in the house. Although I too am a cigarette smoker, I never smoke inside any home or my car. Ever.
Rebecca Ferguson 4 months ago
In the words of actor Yul Brynner before his death: "Just don't smoke".
Daya Meyer 4 months ago
And this is just what it looks like. Our neighbours are smoking in their living room every day and they live in their apartment for about seventeen years now. Even if they don't smoke, my clothes are smelling like cigarette smoke because every item in this room is absorbing the smoke for such a long time and longer because they brought their furniture with them when they moved here.
Trisec Tebeakesse 4 months ago
Hmm, no ceiling fan photos? My aunt quit smoking a few years ago, and the last time I was at her place in Florida, I tried to clean up a bit. I was afraid I'd have to disassemble the ceiling fans to hand-scrub them with bleach, but surprisingly, ordinary Fantastik did the trick.
censorshipsucks 4 months ago
I once had a house that I bought and it was just like this. It took FOUR coats of paint to cover the nicotine.
Joy 4 months ago
My husband and I bought our house from a smoker. The smell just punched you right in the face as soon as you walked through the door. We ripped out all the carpet and put new flooring in, painted every single room of the house, and even had our vents cleaned. I don't think we would've had to put so much work into it had the previous owner not smoked. It was bad.
Angela C 4 months ago
Reminds me of my parents' old house. They smoked in the house I grew up in for 23 years (none of us kids have any related health issues though, we lucked out). When we were moving out and taking stuff off the walls that had been up for years you could see a huge contrast of what color the walls were supposed to be versus what nicotine stains did to them. They still smoke unfortunately but not in their new house. And my mom has commented on how much cleaner the house is without smoking in it
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