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
Image credits: larebareblog
#2 I Think Someone Might Have Smoked Here
Image credits: reddit.com
#3 Smoker's Window Compared To A Non-Smoker
Image credits: EleclCtriC
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
Image credits: tenglempls
#5 I Do Repaints For A Landlord After His Tenants Move Out. This Is A Carpet Of A Smoker After They Moved Their Bed
Image credits: Nickg2107
#6 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
Image credits: fresh_coast_flips
“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
Image credits: cyantea11
#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.
Image credits: Zealousideal-Debt884
#9 Seeing The Smoke Pattern On The Floor Coming From The Apartment
Image credits: jousiemohn
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
Image credits: Catbuttness
#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
Image credits: romerdanart
#12 The Light Bulb In A Smoking Room vs. A Non-Smoking Room
Image credits: ConnorRB
“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 The Results Of 30 Years Of Chain Smoking Inside A Living Room
Image credits: Shero82
#14 My Friend Wet-Vacuumed The Roof Of A Customer's Car Who Was A Smoker
Image credits: H145
#15 If You Need A Reason To Stop Smoking Cigarettes, Imagine What The Inside Looks Like
Image credits: HeavyMetalCholo
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
Image credits: elephant_8
#17 A Non-Smoker's Remote vs. A Smoker's Remote
Image credits: cperkins3362
#18 Heavy Cigarette Smoke Rental Nightmare
Image credits: amandakshepard
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 Curtains From A Smoker's Apartment After Being Dunked In A Bathtub
Image credits: neeeeeeeeeener
#20 The Inside Of A Smoker's Computer
Image credits: 1234567891011twelve
#21 2 Glasses From A Smoker's House. One Is Washed
Image credits: Salugod
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 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
Image credits: graciem20
#23 We Just Finished A Challenging Home Cleaning With Nicotine Damage Throughout. We Had To Scrub With A Degreaser To Remove Cigarette Stains
Image credits: schneiderandsonspainting
#24 Smoking Is Bad
Image credits: noturITguy
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
Image credits: camelgum
#26 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).
Image credits: SoggyFrog45
#27 Inside The Smoker's Car
Image credits: alrosie1999
#28 I Recently Moved Houses And Replaced The Smoke Detector. This Is What 20+ Years Of Smoking Does To It
Image credits: Azzarrrr
#29 What Smoking Cigarettes Inside Does To Your Walls
Image credits: tiredoftalkingtoyou
#30 Friendly Air Filter Replacement Reminder. Smokers In The House, It’s Been One Month
Image credits: Nareve93
#31 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
Image credits: Thee_Hullabaloo
#32 What 30 Years Of Smoking Does To An Apartment
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#33 Me Cleaning The Walls Of A House That Has Been Smoked In For 30 Years
Image credits: BlackJack407
#34 My Buddy Cleaned This Crystal Chandelier That Was Subjected To Years Of Indoor Cigarette Smoke. Here Are The Before And After
Image credits: NineInchSNAILS413
#35 This Is What 10 Years Of Heavy Smoking Did To My Grandma’s Carpet
Image credits: jferg4802
#36 White Lace Curtains After Being Smoked Around For Over 20 Years
Image credits: astraennui
#37 Smokers Living Here
Image credits: toekneebullard
#38 Wireless Access Point (WAP) From The Non-Smoking Area vs. The Smoking Area
Image credits: Gurty007
#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
Image credits: neoballoonsman
#40 Plastic Yellowing Around Plug From Cigarette Smoke
Image credits: A__username_for_me
#41 I Finally Got Pillowcases Back From A Relative Who Smokes. Congratulations To Anyone Who Has Successfully Quit Smoking
Image credits: chipotleismypassion
#42 Helping A Friend Flip A House. The Previous Owners Smoked So Much That The Nicotine Is Dripping Down The Walls
Image credits: pleasingpretzel
#43 What 30+ Years Of Smoking Indoors Does To A Place
Image credits: ItzRoko
#44 The Difference Between A Smoker's And A Non-Smoker's Break Room
Image credits: ginihendrix
#45 IDog From My Childhood Yellowed From Cigarette Smoke
Image credits: 7272peach
#46 I Cleaned The Seat Belts Of My Grandpa's Car. Definitely Worth It
Image credits: reddit.com
#47 Difference Between My Century Old Quadplex Smoking Side vs. Non-Smoking Side. I'm Going To Start Cleaning Walls And Painting This Week
Image credits: offensivemailbox
#48 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
Image credits: rileyjw90
#49 Smoker vs. Non-Smoker
Image credits: svekt3
#50 Some Objects Left Imprints On The Tops Of Kitchen Units From A Smoker's House
Image credits: cameronface
