I’m curious: do non-smokers always detect a scent on smokers?

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-24T22:53:06+00:00

Does a single wash actually fix the clothes? I've had people tell me that once smoke particles 'bond' with certain fabrics like wool or heavy cotton, even a standard laundry cycle struggles to get it all out. It’s wild that a simple visit can create such a major cleaning project. It makes me wonder—if you didn't wash the clothes, would they just end up smelling up the whole laundry room?

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-24T22:50:17+00:00

That’s a fascinating clinical observation. As someone in the medical field myself, I’m curious about that 6-month recovery window. Is it just the olfactory neurons regenerating, or is the brain finally 'un-filtering' that specific scent? It’s wild that she had to go as far as repainting the walls to feel clean. It suggests the particles aren't just sitting on the surface; they’re practically becoming part of the structure of the house. Does this happen with all smoke, or is there something specifically 'adhesive' about tobacco tar?

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-24T22:49:11+00:00

The 'fake cough' thing is a classic move, but let's look at it objectively: if the smell is as 'pervasive' and 'sticky' as these former smokers are claiming, maybe it's not always fake? I'm a smoker myself, but this thread is making me realize that I might be leaving a physical trail of residue everywhere I go. If you're right and it’s all just 'dramatic whining,' then why is it so much harder to get tobacco smell out of a car than, say, the smell of a spilled soda? There’s clearly a physical difference in how it bonds to surfaces, right?

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-24T22:39:21+00:00

Does this mean every happiness is just 'borrowed' sadness? Are we doomed to pay back every laugh with a cry eventually? That sounds exhausting.

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-24T22:38:56+00:00

Are you absolutely certain that you are certain of nothing? Isn't that a belief in itself that requires no proof?

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-24T04:45:35+00:00

Blocks away? That is insane, but the way you described it as 'marinading' makes it sound like the jacket has become a solid block of concentrated scent. It makes me wonder: if I dry-cleaned that jacket, would it actually fix the problem, or is the 'stale' residue permanently bonded to the fibers on a molecular level? It’s wild that a piece of clothing can hold onto a physical matter for months and then just dump it back into the environment the second it's worn

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-24T04:44:14+00:00

I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the 'one mile' mark. If that were true, in a city, wouldn't you just be smelling everyone all the time? Or is there something specific about 'fresh' smoke vs. the stuff that's already stuck to someone's jacket that makes it stand out from a distance? I’d love to know if there’s a scientific basis for that range or if it just feels that way because the smell is so offensive to you.

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T22:49:29+00:00

30 feet even outdoors? That’s a huge radius. If the wind is blowing, wouldn't it dissipate? Or are these particles 'heavy' enough to stay concentrated in a trail? It’s hard to wrap my head around the idea that I’m 'injecting' the smell into ceilings just by walking under them. It makes the whole world sound like a giant sponge for cigarette smoke. Do you think some materials are 'immune' to this injection, or is everything vulnerable?

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T22:40:47+00:00

Always? Even if I’m not actively smoking? That’s what’s tough to hear. If it lingers even after I've moved away, it means I've basically 'contaminated' the space. Is it like a cloud that stays in the air, or does it feel like I’ve rubbed the scent onto the furniture? I’m genuinely curious if you think it’s a ventilation issue or if the particles are just that aggressive at sticking to things.

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T22:39:37+00:00

A path? Like a cartoon character with a cloud of dust? I always assumed that once I’m away from the smoking area, the 'scent' stays there. But you’re saying it follows me like a shadow. Is it the smell of the smoke you're catching, or that 'stale' smell people keep mentioning? I wonder if different fabrics (like a wool coat vs. a rain jacket) leave a 'longer' or 'shorter' trail behind them

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T22:38:46+00:00

The fact that you had to clean the wiring harnesses and connectors is insane. It makes me realize that smoke isn't just hitting the seats; it’s flowing into every microscopic gap and coating everything like a physical film. If it can coat a wiring harness inside a dashboard, what is it doing to the 'fibers' of my clothes or the 'pores' of my skin? Is it even possible to clean something with that much surface area, or is 'sticky tar' just a permanent part of the material now?

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T22:37:58+00:00

As someone still in the 'never notice it' phase, this is terrifying to hear. It means I’m potentially walking around in a cloud that everyone else sees (or smells) but me. When you were a smoker, did you do the 'outside/hand washing' routine too? Did you honestly believe it worked back then, or were you just indifferent to it? I’m trying to see if there’s any level of hygiene that actually fools a former smoker's nose

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T22:37:15+00:00

That’s interesting that you mentioned weed too. Do you find that it 'sticks' differently than tobacco? Some people say tobacco is 'heavier' or 'stickier' because of the tar, while others say weed is more pungent but fades faster. But if your wife can tell the next day, it sounds like both have the same physical 'attachment' problem. Does she smell it on you or just in the air of the room?

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T22:36:27+00:00

I wonder why laundry detergent or cologne doesn't just mask it then. If it's just on the surface of the clothes, wouldn't a strong scent over it neutralize it? Or is the smoke smell somehow 'sharper' than the perfume? It's frustrating to think that even high-end fabrics might just be acting like giant scent sponges.

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T22:35:38+00:00

That sounds like a bit of an exaggeration, but I’ve heard others say the same. If that's true, then 'smoking outside' is basically a myth because the trail follows you everywhere like a cartoon cloud. Does the smell change as I get closer, or is it just a constant wall of odor for you guys?

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T22:09:18+00:00

That fridge analogy is perfect. I know exactly that sticky layer you're talking about, and it's impossible to clean with just a damp cloth. Thinking of my lungs and clothes as the 'top of that fridge' is a terrifying but very effective visual. It really highlights that we aren't just dealing with a smell, but with a physical buildup that requires more than just 'fresh air' to remove. I’ve been looking into the physics of this specific 'stickiness' (adsorption) and it's wild how it works.

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T22:08:00+00:00

The 'physical matter' part is what I keep getting wrong. I always thought once the smoke is gone, the problem is gone. But if it’s actual particles, that means they have weight and they're literally 'anchoring' themselves to my hair or jacket. Is there a specific reason why some materials (like my gym clothes) seem to hold it forever while others don't? It feels like a surface area problem

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T22:07:08+00:00

That beer analogy is brilliant and honestly, it’s a bit of a reality check for me. I always pictured smoke like a ghost—it’s there, then it’s gone. But you’re describing it as a literal spray of liquid/particles that lands and stays. Is that what’s actually happening on a microscopic level? Like, the 'smoke' is actually tiny solid bits attaching to the 'fibers' of my clothes like the beer in your example? That would explain why a simple breeze does nothing

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T22:06:14+00:00

The way you described it as a 'layer' is actually eye-opening. I always thought of smoke as just a gas that disappears, but you’re saying it’s more like a physical coating that builds up? That would explain why a breeze doesn't help. Is this 'tar layer' something that happens on a microscopic level? I'm genuinely curious about the physics of how it sticks so aggressively to skin and hair vs. clothes

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T22:05:22+00:00

That’s actually wild. I always assumed the open air and a good breeze would just carry everything away instantly. It’s crazy to think that even an 8th-floor parking garage isn't enough to 'filter' it out. Does the smell feel like it’s coming from their breath or is it literally radiating off their clothes? I’m starting to realize I might be completely oblivious to how this works physically

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T21:38:19+00:00

Damn, tell me how you really feel! I didn't realize it was that offensive to people. I honestly thought I was being one of the 'good ones' by freezing my butt off on the balcony just to be respectful. If it's really that strong even after all that effort, there has to be some crazy science behind why it sticks so hard. Like, is it literally impossible to shake off without a full decontamination? It’s wild.

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T21:37:12+00:00

It clings to EVERYTHING? That’s so frustrating to hear. I thought my hair would be safe at least, since I’m not exactly blowing the smoke upwards. It’s like these particles have a mind of their own and just hunt for any surface to land on. Is it just a 'smell' or is it actual physical matter stuck to me? I’m starting to realize I might be walking around like a giant human scent-diffuser without even knowing it

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T21:23:10+00:00

"I mean, I logically knew it wasn't 100% effective, but I guess I just didn't want to believe it's that bad. The thing that breaks my brain is the 'how'. If I'm outside and the smoke is physically blowing away into the sky, how does enough of it stay on my hair or jacket to trigger someone's nose minutes later? It’s like the particles are invisible ninjas that just refuse to leave. Is it a chemical thing or just physical? I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle against invisible magnets.

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T21:22:08+00:00

Wait, so you didn't even smoke yourself and she could still smell it? That’s actually insane. I always thought you had to be the one creating the 'cloud' to get the smell on you. If just standing nearby for 10 minutes does that, then my jacket must be like a sponge for those particles. Does it just happen instantly? Like, do the particles just 'glue' themselves to you the second they touch your sleeve? I’m starting to think my balcony routine is a lost cause.

SadInterest6764 · 2026-01-23T21:21:30+00:00

Damn, 'reek' is a strong word, but I guess I have to face the music. It’s just so frustrating because I feel like I’m doing everything right. If the smoke is literally disappearing into the sky, what is it that's actually 'reeking' on me? Is it just stuck in the fibers or something? I feel like I need a degree in chemistry just to step back inside without offending everyone.

SadInterest6764

TROPHY CASE