What is Thirdhand Smoke and Why Should You Care?

We know that secondhand smoke is dangerous. But have you heard of thirdhand smoke?

Thirdhand smoke is the residue left behind after a cigarette is extinguished. It clings to walls, carpets, furniture, clothing, and even skin and hair. You may not always see or smell thirdhand smoke, but it’s still there. It’s especially harmful to children, pets, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions. 

Even if no one is smoking indoors anymore, the toxic residue has been shown to linger for years. Researchers have found high levels of thirdhand smoke in apartments even when current residents do not smoke or allow smoking in their homes. In some of these homes, the levels of thirdhand smoke were similar to levels in homes where people actively smoke indoors. Studies at the Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center have found high levels of thirdhand smoke on surfaces more than 5 years after the last known cigarette was smoked.

That’s why a comprehensive smoke-free policy is important for protecting everyone’s health. Smoke-free policies protect current AND future residents. Smoke-free multi-unit housing policies receive high approval ratings among residents and are associated with reduction in consumption in commercial tobacco.

Before you sign a lease, ask the property manager questions about second and thirdhand smoke, including if previous renters smoked in the unit.

View our thirdhand smoke FAQ or visit the Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center to learn more. The Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center, funded by California’s Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program, provides information, resources, and technical support to communities, businesses, health care professionals, and policymakers about the toxic legacy of tobacco smoke residue, and works to achieve indoor environments that are 100% free of tobacco smoke toxicants.