Air purifier for cigarette smoke? It works!
What removes cigarette smoke? Can an air purifier clean a room of cigarette smell? What should an air purifier for smokers be like?
First and foremost, it should be efficient, have a large filter surface, respond quickly to cigarette smoke, and be affordable to purchase and maintain.
Is an air purifier for cigarette smoke worth it?
An air purifier removes not only smog but also the much more dangerous cigarette smoke, which contains 69 carcinogenic substances, including tar particles, benzopyrene, and heavy metals.
These compounds can contribute to the development of lung cancer, digestive system diseases, heart attacks, strokes, and deterioration of physical condition when inhaled into our respiratory system.
The air purifier removes the smell, but it removes smoke 10 times faster
Most smokers decide on an air purifier due to the unpleasant smell that lingers in the house. Thanks to modern, laser air quality sensors, the device quickly detects increasing levels of tar substances. Efficient motors can quickly mix the air, drawing dirty particles into the purifier.
It takes a bit longer to get rid of the cigarette smell, but thanks to activated carbon filters, with 1 gram containing up to 4921 ft² of absorptive surface, the unpleasant smell will be significantly less noticeable until it finally disappears.
Why is cleaning time so important?
Each cigarette contains about 7,000 chemical substances, 69 of which are confirmed carcinogens.
A study by Italian scientists recently showed that cigarette smoke contributes to 10 times higher concentrations of harmful particulates than a popular 2-liter diesel engine (Invernizzi et al., 2019).
Cigarette smoke, lingering in rooms where we stay, settles on walls, clothes, or furniture. The quicker the harmful particles settle on the filters and the smell is absorbed, the less chance we have of breathing harmful air.
Before choosing, consider 5 features of a good air purifier for cigarette smoke
1. Choose the right room size
First, select a purifier suitable for the room. If most cigarette smoke is in the bedroom, look for a device with an efficiency at least 8-9 times greater than the room's surface area.
It is generally accepted that an air purifier should filter the entire volume of air in the room three times.
2. Filter type
Smokers are primarily recommended to use H13 filters, which effectively remove all particulates, including cigarette smoke.
It's also beneficial for the air purifier for smokers to have a substantial carbon filter, which will adsorb unpleasant odors.
3. Cost and operating costs
A purifier that absorbs a large amount of tar substances from cigarettes uses filters faster.
Therefore, they need to be replaced more frequently. It is worth considering not only the purchase cost but also the operating cost of the purifier.
4. Useful features
It is recommended that a smoke purifier has air ionization, which not only balances harmful and good ions but also supports air purification.
This helps to remove cigarette smells more quickly.
Tip
If there is a balcony where you often smoke, you can place the purifier near the balcony door. Before cigarette smoke settles in the house, the purifier will remove a significant portion of the smells and smoke.
Purifiers detect classic cigarettes best due to the presence of tar substances. E-cigarettes or the now-popular tobacco heaters (e.g., IQOS) do not contain substances similar to those in cigarettes, so the purifier only detects large concentrations of smoke.
Monitor filter contamination levels: The tar substances released during smoking stick to air filters, shortening their lifespan.
What is the best air purifier for people exposed to cigarette smoke?
When exposed to tobacco smoke, an air purifier for cigarette smoke should be:
- Efficient, to quickly neutralize harmful, carcinogenic substances.
- Have high-capacity filters. These filters make the purifier effective as a cigarette smoke absorber. With regular smoking, the filters in purifiers wear out faster. Therefore, they should be high-capacity.
- Affordable to buy and operate – due to the environment in which it operates, a cigarette smoke air purifier should primarily ensure good air purification performance at a low cost. Any additional features are, of course, a nice addition, but they are not necessary and often only increase the device's price.
- Instead, it is worth focusing on models with low filter replacement costs, as these (as mentioned earlier) may need to be replaced more frequently.
How do Klarta air purifiers handle cigarette smoke?
Large-surface H13 and carbon filters
The most powerful weapon against nicotine smoke is an effective set of filters. These include:
- H13 99.97% filter – densely woven with a porous structure, mechanically traps all particulate matter, including benzo(a)pyrene, cadmium, arsenic, and polonium released during smoking.
- Carbon filter – adsorbs particles of harmful gases, removing irritating odors from the air.
- Pre-filter – traps dust particles, hair, fur, and other contaminants, positively impacting the longevity of the other two filters.
- To ensure even longer filter life and better health protection, we have introduced EF (Extra Fold) filters, which have a larger surface area than the standard H13 filter.
- With the increased surface area of the H13 filtration material, EF filters have increased airflow and cleaning speed by 5 to 10%.
How often should filters be replaced in air purifiers for smokers?
The H13 and carbon filters used in the Klarta Stor air purifier have a longer lifespan of 2 years.
This is important because tobacco smoke significantly contributes to faster filter clogging and consequently shorter lifespan.
Therefore, for air purifiers for smokers, we recommend more frequent filter replacement.
In the Klarta Forste model, we estimate the filter lifespan at about 12 months. However, similar to the Stor series, with frequent smoking, the replacement may need to occur sooner, e.g., after 6-9 months.
Restrictive auto mode
Time is of the essence, especially when it comes to health. We strive for our purifiers to detect and respond as quickly as possible to any alarming increase in pollutant levels.
Therefore, we place great emphasis on the restrictiveness of automatic modes. In practice, these are most often chosen by you for daily use.
Our super-fast purifiers, Klarta Forste and Klarta Stor, react instantly to any increase in PM2.5 levels, increasing their speed above 5 and 8 µg/m3.
Thus, we are one of the first purifier manufacturers to adapt their work algorithms to the new, stringent air quality standards recommended by WHO.
Impressive cleaning efficiency
This quickly restores clean and healthy air, removing tobacco smoke from standard-sized rooms.
The high efficiency of the Stor model allows it to be used in spaces up to 860 ft². However, we also recommend it for smaller rooms, where it will simply remove tobacco smoke faster.
Our offer includes not only Stor but also the smaller and more compact Klarta Forste.
We recommend the air purifier with an efficiency of 300 m³/h for smaller areas – such as bedrooms or offices. The maximum area where the Klarta Forste will work is 430 ft².
Why protect yourself? The impact of cigarette smoke on health
Cigarettes are currently the only legally sold carcinogenic agent in the world. The chemical BPDE found in cigarette smoke causes mutations in a gene known to be closely associated with many cancers.
BPDE damages the K-RAS gene, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. The most common side effects of smoking are:
- Lung cancer – 9 out of 10 people diagnosed with lung cancer turn out to be smokers.
- Cardiovascular diseases– Smoking leads to more frequent heart attacks and strokes. Smokers also often experience hypertension and heart failure.
- Digestive system diseases – Stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as cancer of various digestive organs. The Australian Cancer Council suggests that the chance of getting one of the digestive system cancers in smokers is 61% higher than in non-smokers.
- Risk for pregnant women – increased risk of stillbirth, asthma in young children.
70,000 Europeans die annually from passive smoking
Not only smokers experience the side effects of smoking. Passive smoking contributes to the development of cancer in people who do not smoke.
This most often includes cancer of the larynx, throat, nasal sinuses, brain, bladder, stomach, rectum, and breast.
Passive smoking leads to the death of 1.2 million people annually worldwide. In the European Union, it is estimated that this number is around 70,000.
In Poland, however, the figure is said to be only 1,000 people annually. Considering European statistics, this number may be higher.
How to clean a room of cigarette smoke? 3 best methods
People wondering what removes cigarette smoke often ask how long it takes for the cigarette smell to disappear and how to speed up this process.
1. Air purifier
Equipped with a carbon filter, an air purifier is the best cigarette smoke absorber, effectively adsorbing the smell of cigarettes and restoring healthy and clean air in the room.
2. Natural air freshener – vinegar
Vinegar is a great natural detergent that, thanks to its properties, not only removes limescale deposits and kills bacteria but also neutralizes unpleasant odors.
Simply mix vinegar with lemon juice and then spray the prepared mist. Placing bowls or containers of vinegar in a smoky room also works well.
3. Washing clothes, blankets, and bedding
The most mundane but no less effective method is simply regularly washing clothes, blankets, covers, curtains, and other items whose fabrics strongly absorb tobacco smoke.
The best solution for smokers? It’s never too late to quit!
One cigarette shortens our life by 11 minutes. One pack (20 cigarettes) equals 3 hours and 40 minutes, equivalent to 2 football matches with overtime.
Although this may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of life, regular smokers' lives can be shortened by several years!
Fortunately, even regular smokers are not at a disadvantage. According to data provided by the Australian Cancer Council, our tissues begin to regenerate 6 hours after smoking the last cigarette (provided we do not immediately smoke another one).
Moreover, some studies suggest that quitting smoking before the age of 40 can reduce the risk of smoking-related diseases by up to 90%. As you can see, it’s never too late.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can an air purifier effectively remove cigarette smoke from indoor air?
Yes, most cigarette smoke particles are 0.1 to 1 microns in size, making them easy to capture by a H13 filter. However, air purifiers are less effective at neutralizing the smell of cigarette smoke.
2. What type of filter is best for removing cigarette smoke from the air?
H13 filters, which remove particles such as benzopyrene, cadmium, arsenic, and polonium produced during smoking, and carbon filters, which remove gas particles such as formaldehyde, phenol, acetone, and toluene (volatile organic compounds).
3. Can an air purifier remove the unpleasant smell of cigarettes from the air?
Yes, but since this smoke quickly settles on clothes, furniture, and walls, an efficient purifier is needed to filter the air effectively.
4. How much energy does a cigarette smoke air purifier use, and how will it affect my electricity bills?
An air purifier uses very little energy, and its operation should not be noticeable in the monthly budget. The Klarta Stor consumes 5 to 66 W. The Klarta Forste consumes 5 to 43 W – assuming continuous operation 24/7 and an average of 30W usage, it costs about $3.29 per month.
5. Is an air purifier easy to use and maintain?
Thanks to carefully thought-out automatic operation, our purifiers are practically maintenance-free. Left alone, they will assess air quality and adjust cleaning intensity to the conditions. Just remember to periodically replace the filters (every 12 months – Klarta Forste and every 24 months – Klarta Stor).
6. Can an air purifier for smokers be quiet? Will it disturb work?
Klarta air purifiers are standardly equipped with three automatic operating modes, including Auto Sleep mode. Combining effective purification and acoustic comfort, it generates barely 40 dB of noise, making it an ideal companion when you need to focus.
7. Does the manufacturer offer a warranty on the air purifier, and how long is this warranty?
Yes, all Klarta air purifiers come with a standard 3-year warranty.
Sources:
- Invernizzi, Giovanni & Ruprecht, Ario & Mazza, Roberto & Rossetti, E & Sasco, Annie & Nardini, Stefano & Boffi, Roberto. (2004). “Particulate matter from tobacco versus diesel car exhaust: An educational perspective.” Tobacco control. 13. 219-21. 10.1136/tc.2003.005975.
- Unknown author. “16 cancers caused by smoking. Cancer Council NSW.” 19 Aug 2020
