What is Thirdhand Smoke and Why Should You Care?
Updated: Mar 30
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.
I’d add thirdhand smoke to the move-in checklist when renting, especially for units where the previous tenant smoked indoors.
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Wiping walls and checking soft furnishings won’t give a definitive answer, but it helps flag rooms that need a deeper clean before unpacking.
The point about residue lingering on surfaces makes sense, but I’d push a little on how easily it can be removed—ordinary cleaning may not be enough, and replacing furnishings isn’t realistic for many renters.
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Does the guidance account for that cost gap?
The distinction between secondhand and thirdhand smoke is what stuck with me, especially that the residue can persist on walls and furniture well after smoking stops.
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It makes me wonder how often people underestimate that risk in rental units where previous tenants smoked.
The point about residue clinging to walls and furniture makes me wonder how much ordinary cleaning actually removes.
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If thirdhand smoke can linger after a cigarette is long gone, are typical soap-and-water wipe-downs enough, or does it take specialized cleaning?