If you're purchasing an air purifier with a HEPA filter and a high MERV rating (and you place it in a room with a proper CADR) you can absolutely remove smoke pollutants from the air.
One of the most effective ways to clean smoke from indoor environments is to attach a MERV 13 furnace filter to a box fan. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency tested this method with air monitors and found that a box fan filter reduced airborne particulate matter dramatically.
Air purifiers: A solution for cleaning the air? Air purifiers for smoke in the home are designed to draw in the smoke-filled air, and clean it by pushing it through a filtration system. Once purified, the clean air is released and recirculated.
HEPA filters, which are used in high-quality air purifiers like the IQAir HealthPro Series, are designed to remove microscopic particles from the air, including smoke particles. These filters capture particles down to sizes as small as 0.3 micrometers across, with a close to perfect removal rate (around 99.7%).
Fortunately, air purifiers do help with cigarette smoke. The best air purifiers for smokers, and those around them, are those that remove particles and odors for both secondhand and thirdhand smoke.
Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors, and use fans or air purifiers to facilitate airflow. This helps remove airborne smoke particles and freshens the indoor environment.
Levoit Core 400S Smart Air Purifier
It's the best air purifier for smoke in a large space, and it's also one of the more tech-forward options on this list. Aspects of it reminded us of our favorite Dyson models—at about half the cost.
While ion generators may remove small particles (e.g., those in tobacco smoke) from the indoor air, they do not remove gases or odors, and may be relatively ineffective in removing large particles such as pollen and house dust allergens.
Room air cleaners are portable, electric appliances that remove fine particles, such as dust and pollen, from indoor air. A standard room air cleaner, operating continuously, uses approximately 450 kWh per year in electricity. This is more than the energy used by some new refrigerators!
Why don't filters work? Filters do not block all the bad chemicals in smoke, and filtered smoke feels milder on the throat, making it easier to take bigger and deeper puffs. Filters only help block the largest tar particles, letting through smaller bits of tar that can travel deeper into your lungs.
Air conditioners can help reduce smoke particles in the air, especially if they are equipped with advanced filters like HEPA or activated carbon filters. These filters capture and remove particulate matter and odours, improving indoor air quality.
One easy and affordable way to make your own air cleaner at home is with a box fan and a furnace filter. These “filter fans” can filter out the small particles that are common in wildfire or wood smoke.
Clean air is air that has no harmful levels of pollutants (dirt and chemicals) in it. Clean air is good for people to breathe. On a hot day with no wind, the air can feel heavy and have a bad smell.
To remove soot and smoke from walls, furniture and floors, use a mild soap or detergent or mix together 4 to 6 tbsp. tri-sodium phosphate and 1 cup household cleaner or chlorine bleach to every gallon of warm water. Wear rubber gloves. Be sure to rinse surfaces with clear warm water and dry thoroughly.
NASA has listed peace lilies among the best air-purifying plants, as they remove toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and cigarette smoke from the air.
The “cooling” effect caused by passing the tobacco smoke through water can induce a greater number of puffs and thus increases the inhalation of carcinogens present in the smoke. The passing of smoke through water does not filter the toxic substances present in tobacco smoke.
What are the downsides of air purifiers? There aren't a lot of downsides to having an air purifier in your home aside from the financial investment. Many ionizers, especially older models, can generate ozone when they are operating, which is known to exacerbate asthma.
Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.
Benefits of Running an Air Purifier All Day
Probably the biggest benefit of keeping an air purifier on at all times is having constant and continual control of airborne pollutants and allergens, which carries numerous other benefits.
Best for smoke
The Winix 5500-2 air purifier was our top contender for reducing smoke to improve air quality. Its three-stage filtration system features a true HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and washable pre-filter that capture 99.97% of airborne pollutants, from allergens to smoke.
Do not use an ionizer in an enclosed space when someone is present. Either open a window or run the ionizer when no one is home, turning it off whenever anyone is in the room with it.
Use an air purifier
Models with HEPA filters are known to be able to capture smoke particles. While they can help, they're not 100% effective, since they won't be able to remove the smoky odours that have stuck to surfaces around the home.
The simplest thing you can do to purify air from smoke in your home is just opening windows. Letting in a cool breeze will help whisk away some of the smell and bring badly needed fresh air into the home. This can provide some immediate relief for rooms with a stronger presence of smoke in the air.
Bottom line: A HEPA-rated air purifier will significantly reduce the cigarette-smoke particles in your home, and a HEPA purifier with a chemical adsorbent will significantly reduce those smaller VOCs as well.