Question from saphire

I have lived in my apartment for five years and have been searching a lot for a nonsmoking place to live. I am in Placentia, California, 62 years of age, a cancer survivor and want to live a healthy life.

The one apartment that I found is very expensive and I may just have to stay where I am. My concerns regarding staying are that there are many smokers here. Last year the lady downstairs smoked continuously and I could smell this at all hours. It gets hot in the summer and had to close window. I then was concerned about air conditioning and the smoke getting through the vents. Yes, she has moved, but what if someone else moves in and smokes, or their visitors? There are cigarette butts all around the property and management will not agree to banning smoking inside, outside and all around because there are too many smokers here. They do not want to lose money, although I see quite a few vacancies. (I have talked and explained all the pros of having this a nonsmoking property, but they just want to get people in and keep them).

I would be gone if I had family around or could find a place suitable. If I end up signing the lease in two weeks then what “really good air filter” can I get to rid the air of the toxins from the smoke. Smokers pass by the apartment so I do still get this.

Does the smoke really travel through vents? I read that it does all the time and then someone will tell me that that is ridiculous and that apartments are all individual units and that the vents are not joined. Is this the case sometimes?

Would appreciate any suggestions on “Good air filter” for getting rid of the toxins from smoke.

Second issue: I walk down a hallway to get to the elevator and there is a perfumed odor. A resident told me that they put air fresheners in the vents because someone had complained about the smell.

Debra’s Answer

I understand your predicament.

With regard to the vents, it depends on the building whether they are connected or individual. Ask your building manager. If they are connected, then pollutants from other units certainly can come into your unit through the vents.

Cigarette smoke contains both particles and gasses, so you need a filter that removes both. A good combination would be HEPA and charcoal.

Update April, 2020.  Read more in the Portable Air Purifier Buying Guide.