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Smoke smell

I am extremely sensitive to cigarette smoke (on top of my normal nasal allergies) which often results in sinus issues, asthma attacks, and migraines.  For the past week I have been smelling cigarette (and something else, maybe incense, but I can't place it) smoke in my apartment.  From the hours of 2pm-2amish I am unable to relax and enjoy my living room due to the stench.  Last night I watched an hour of TV while periodically spritzing Febreeze - not that it does much good.  My husband thought I was crazy and smelling things, but two days ago he got a good whiff of it, so now I know it's not just my nose.  

Due to the fact that I cannot isolate how it is entering my home, nor are we able to move at this time, I am in need of coping strategies.  It's Texas summer, so A/C is a must.  [Although it's coming through even when the air is off.  I've stood under air vents and sniffed while they are on to smell nothing.  Once it gets in it permeates the room and my nose and head start to bug me and I cannot sniff around like I do when I am trying to find a smelly spot on the carpet.]  Air freshener merely covers up the smell, and I am sensitive to some fragrances, so I just get to deal with perfumey smelling smoke.  I have considered a smoke air-filter, but I am unsure of how capable they are of cleansing a room.  I have a room-sized HEPA filter, but it is unable to tackle this problem.

Honestly, I'll take any ideas, but would appreciate product reviews of things that are pricey (like the smoke filter).  I'm not even sure if a smoke eater candle would work.  Do they?  

We are seriously considering moving, but that fixes the future, not the now.
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Avatar universal
I have read on several sources that a bowl of vinegar or waving a rag damped with vinegar will absorb cigarette smoke.  It is supposed to work with other burning smells as well.  I have tried it with burned food smells and it does work.  You could try lining the inside of your air vents with activated charcoal air filters to see if that helps.

I hope that helps you some.

Helpful - 0
1343146 tn?1279330643
Hey there is this stuff you can buy at the tobacco store and possibly the dollar store.  It is called "smoke eater".  it comes in a spray and a candle I think.  What it does is eat the smoke smell without putting off any scent of its own.  I would recommend this, but if it doesnt get better, call the apartment manager and find out if it is coming through your vents and find out what they are going to do about the problem.
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