Wow. I'm shocked. I've been smelling cigarette smoke for the past 7 seven hours and now I decided to google it! And I see this. I have had this ever since I moved in my current house 7 years ago. Mines sometimes goes away for long periods of times but lately I've been getting it again! And I thought I was crazy! I can't believe I never looked it up. I had no idea it was this common! At some point when I was 10 or 11 years old I had a wacky thought that there were ghost who were smokers in life and I was smelling them right beside me. Yeah, I'm weird. I also have sinus problems, it's hay fever and I just started taking reactine because the summer is getting closer. I do it every year and now I'm smelling this again. It often causes me a sort of headache. Not like your regular headache, more like a someone is sticking a pole through a section of your head. I hope there'll be some news and updates on this.

I too smell something. It don't smell like smoke, it smells like electronics burning or maybe a burned out old radio. Have any of you ever smelled anything like that? My eyes also burn regularly even though I might not smell the other odor. I smoke so I don't smell the smoke. I have a small allergery problem but not something that I take medicine for every day. The thing is, I have smelled this odor since I was a teenager and now I am 59. It comes and goes and I might go several weeks before I smell it again. It nearly drives me nuts!! I have never told anyone about this and I thought I would check out google just to see if I could find something and Wa-La, here you guys are talking about smelling things. Thanks to all of you, because I thought I was crazy.

I smell that stale smell of cigarette smoke lately too. It is very strange. I live in Bellingham MA and out of the blue I smell the odor. I live in a house where no one smokes and am not exposed to smokers. I recalled that I believe a symptom of brain tumor or cancer might be smelling strange odors. I unfortunatley was 'laid off in August' and only have an inexpensive insurance to tide me over or I would go to the doctor to have some tests done. I am smelling other strange odors too, like a barbecue smell (barbecue sauce - that would come from grilling) - it comes out of the blue these smells. Let me know if someone comes up with an explanation. I do have a Netti pot and will try that. I sure hope it is not something environmental - that recently something has been omitted into the air or something.....but if someone hears something let us know.

I can't believe I found this forum, but am very relieved. I just got over bronchitis and sinusitis. It took three weeks and two different antibiotics, plus prednisone, to get well. I have asthma and allergies.

As soon as I thought I could breathe and taste again, lo and behold, I noticed that I was smelling stale cigarette smoke quite often during the day. In each instance, I was nowhere near smoke or smokers. I am also still suffering from a sinus headache that began with the sinusitis.

I got kind of scared when I saw Ghost Whisperer the other night. I think the guy ghost said that he was diagnosed with an aneurysm and one of his first symptoms was that he smelled smoke all the time.

So, I know that I need to see my doctor to rule out very serious things like a brain tumor, but it was nice to see others going through the same thing who have just gotten over sinus problems or bronchitis. That is a very common thread running through most of our stories and it makes me feel a bit better.

So, thank you for sharing. I will check out all of these pages and call my doc. I am NOT looking forward to going through an MRI, but I think it's pretty inevitable. Ugh.

Best of luck to everyone.

Well, my doc called me back and I have to have a CT scan of my sinuses. She said that smelling phantom smoke can be a sign of seizures involving the olfactory nerve? ::shrugs:: I'll try to report back next week about what I've learned.

Amazing - a guy can google anything and find something!!! For, I don't know, a very long time now, I've smelt cigarette smoke...I don't smoke, none of my family does and it's not allowed by anyone in our home or vehicles. I can be laying in bed at night, watching TV and all of a sudden I'll get this nasty whiff that can stay for several minutes or several days. Everytime I'm around smoke (which is very seldom), it's like it imbeds in my sinuses and I can smell it for days & days. It's so disturbing cuz I'm allergic to cigarettes anyways and just hate that smell. I can be sitting in my office at work (no smoking building) and swear that someone is smoking somewhere in the building. I have gone so far as to case the place, checking bathrooms and little closets trying to "catch the culprit who is breaking the rules". Crazy, I know. Of course no one else smells it either. I mentioned it to our psychiatrist the other day, who is a very brilliant guy by the way, he said I could be having temporal lobe seizures. We didn't get further into this but since I'm not crazy and this really does happy to many, many people, I may someday soon investigate it sooner cuz it drives me crazy. I hate the smell of cigarette smoke!! Thanks. dkj

wow! I have been smelling cigarrette smoke through out the days. It comes and goes. I made comments to my family and they say the cannot smell anything plus no one smokes here. I thought I was imagine it. so I went online and found all this comments. I guess I will look into an ENT. or ask my sis, she is a physician. I'll let you all know what comes out.

I also almost constantly smell cigarette smoke(been going on for a couple of years), my eyes sting and sometimes water, get swollen and itchy, I get tired and sometimes get headaches. I, too, have mentioned this to my doctor who has brushed it off. Sometimes I smell cigarette smoke for days after a time when I know I have been exposed to it (a couple of cars ahead of me in line, people smoking near my closed office window, a neighbor smoking on their porch), but like you folks, I also smell it when I know there's none around (watching TV w/ all the windows closed, walking in the woods w/ no smokers w/in miles...) it makes no sense. This a.m. while on my eliptical machine watching old episodes of Lost, Jack (the doctor on the show) was trying to diagnose Sawyer's headaches and said that sometimes brain tumors can make people smell smoke. I googled "smelling smoke brain tumors" and ended up here. I am so relieved like many of you, to know that I'm not alone in this. I have no answers. I have mentioned it to my sister/mom/cousins, and they said that when it happens to them (very seldom) they think it's our deceased grandmother who was a chain smoker. Who knows! I can offer the following: I am allergic to dairy proteins, and intollerant to wheat. I have TMJ, used to have migranes all the time but now only once or twice a year, I do not smoke nor does my husband. I am active. I have tried replacing the smell w/ other smells (smelling coffee grounds, essential oils, putting perfume and vicks up my nose, burning candles) nothing works. I do constantly have a nose full of buggers winter and summer which annoys the daylights out of me, and I constantly have phlegm and am clearing my throat. I am 40 and was recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Although I was a straight A student, my cognitive skills have been all over the charts for the last 5 years or so. I do not sleep well, but used to be able to sleep thru a hurricane. I do not drink caffeine, I rarely drink alcohol, and I eat well. I am at the point where I will likely talk to my natropathic doctor, as my traditional doctor has provided no guidence.

If anyone comes up with an answer I'll be forever grateful. I'm going to go find someone to smell my nose now. Good luck everyone!

Wow great to find im not alone in this horrible smell

I have been smelling the smell of smoke on and off for the past 5 years, when mine began I had just given up smoking, so assumed everything in my home smelled of smoke and even when outside I assumed it was a side effect of giving up. I cleaned my home from top to bottom thinking it was the stale smell of my smoking days to no avail.

I then moved house to where the previous occupants also smoked heavily and could smell it on and off there assuming it was from when they had smoked.
Ive now been here 5 years and can still smell it on and off, ive had it this time for 3 days so far, I smell it outside anywhere iam wether inside or out, the only relief is sleep.

Unlike alot of others I have never had trouble with headaches or sinus problems, but I do suffer from several illnesses 3 different types of arthritis, bladder problems, HS, ME, Fibromyalgia to name a few.
I also have as some have mentioned the tears buring the eyes thing as well, when yawning, crying or my eyes watering it stings like mad and I have to wipe the tears away to get any relief.
I also have what no one has mentioned so far occasionally when I eat I get a tingling in my mouth like a real sharp bitter sour, sherbet sort of tingling, doesnt matter what food it is but its usually only the first mouthful and then after that its fine.

Im assuming most are in US and as im in UK I dont inderstand a lot of the meds some of you are on, but obviously iam also on alot of meds for my ails, but seeing I have changed them over the years I dont think any of them can be the cause.

Will see my gp about this next time I go but dont have much faith in Drs a bad past of them but hey what choice do I have lol.

I hope someone can be able to give some answers to this horrible smell.

When I Googled "smelling cigarette smoke" I was shocked to find others in the same boat! This non stop overwhelming cigarette odor started with me 24 hours ago. I too, like others here, thought everything from that it must be coming from my neighbor smoking in his yard, to the visiting ghost of my smoking deceased dad (you know i'm not alone in that far fetched thought!!), to it must be neurological. NO one else around me smells it, and i get a "your nuts" smirk when I explain to anyone what i'm experiencing.

All day, at home, at work, on the train, i've felt like i'm in a very smokey bar. I find myself covering my nose, as if I can escape it that way, no such luck.

Healthwise I'm normally a healthy 39 year old; within the last 2 months have had bronchitus followed by a strong round of antibiotics, just like many of the posts i've read tonight. I've also been fighting a yeast infection (possibly a side effect of a super strong antibiotic?) And occasionally suffer from bad headaches, but oddly enough do not have one now considering if i had really smelled this much smoke i'd have a migrane by now. I take no prescription matainence meds, but have taken Aleve for the last two days for a reoccuring knee injury.

I considered calling my GP today, but just knew she'd completely act like i'm crazy (a thought which also crossed my mind in the last 24 hours).
I'm saddened to see that absolutely no one on this site seems to have found a definitve answer to our problem.
HELP!!!

Where's a doctor like the tv character "Dr. House" when you need them?

Ive had this awful stale cigarette smell this time for nearly a week now and its driving me mad, ive had this several times over the past 5 years, but it seems to be getting worse with each episode. Ive even been so bad this time its made me cough and gag like I had just lit a cigarette for the first time.
I have made a decision to go to my gp this time, (didnt go before as I thought it was me or others near me) now I know im not alone and this could be something serious like a brain tumour, I will make an apppointment on Monday and try and get this sorted once and for all for all of us, will keep you all updated on progress.

I too smell smoke BUT I know its not coming from me. I unlike some of you have had other people smell it. This may sound crazy but I like it better than the brain tumor theroy here goes.... I lost my mom last year due to bad car wreak. Since then, I have been smelling cig smoke. Last week, me and my cousin were in the dining room talking about here and she ran out of the room. she said I smell cigarettes. So next I ran out. lol anyways I take it as here way of letting me know she is around still and she did smoke alot! I just wish she had had a differnent habit, like roses or baking! So
I know this sounds crazy but hey maybe they have cigs on the other side or our angels smoke alot or we are going nuts who knows.....ahh the cig smell i smell right now

I HAVE BEEN SMELLING CIG. SMOKE FOR 4 MONTHS. I HAVE A FEW OTHER SYMPTOMS LIKE NIGHT SWEATS, VISION DISTORTION FOR SHORT PERIODS. I SMELL THIS IN MY HOME. THIS HOUSE IS BRAND NEW AND NO ONE HAS SMOKED IN IT. I HAVE ALL NEW FURNITURE ETC. I NEVER SMELL IT AT WORK. I SOMETIMES SMELL IT IN THE VEHICLE. IF ANYONE KNOWS WHAT THIS IS PLEASE HELP. IT REALLY DRIVES ME CRAZY AND BOTHERS MY THROAT TOO.

TERRY

I started experiencing a cigarette smoke smell about four years ago. At the time, I was working as an RN on a neurology floor of the local hospital. I spoke with one of the neurologists about the odd smells, and he recommended I have a neurologic consult. I did undergo an extensive neuro workup, including consult with a neurologist, MRI, and EEG. Everything was normal. Based upon my presenting complaints, I was diagnosed with uncinate seizures. This is a simple partial seizure that originates in the temporal lobe.

My neurologist at the time recommended that I start on anti-seizure medication. I was unwilling to do this because I did not want to deal with medication side effects. I then saw a second neurologist, and he felt that medication was really not indicated.

I now work as a neurology nurse practitioner, and the doctor I work with also does not think that this type of seizure needs to be treated. I often wonder if this is really even a seizure disorder. There are some migraine variants that can produce a similar type of symptom.

If you are experiencing odd smells as many of you describe, I would urge you to talk to your doctor. It might be nothing, but it certainly could be indicative of a brain tumor, seizure disorder, migraine, etc.

Jaimee

Ok, I've had a similar problem for about a week now. The 'smell' started off like having an ashtray stuck to my nose. Now its kind of a chemical smell/smelling salts. I am absolutely petrified about what this can be and hope it is nothing neurological. I had a baby 13 months ago and since then I have had a very increased thickening of the mucus/nasal lining which has been very irritating (although it doesn't seem to be too bad at the moment). I don't know if this is related. Has anyone had more of an ashtray/smelling salts smell than pure smoke?

I am 43 and no one in my household smokes. However I did grow up with a mother that smoked...heavily!

Now for about the last 8 months I have smelled smoke in my home. It is so bad that not only do my eyes burn but I can taste the smoke as well.

I'm glad to know that I am not imagining things. No body here can smell this except for me. I plan on discussing this with my doctor. I already have numerous health problems and I thought maybe one of my prescriptions might be the culprit.

I'd be interested to know the results for the person who is having the MRI done. Thanks so much!

You all got it right. You around to many people that smoke. Second hand smoke stays on you colthes and in your hair too.

I have not had a sinus infection or a cold.. I do work at a computer.. but only laptops and flat panels. I take an over the counter diet pill called Phentrazine 37.5, which I don't think is the same thing at all as phentramine.. I smell the smell for about 3 - 5 days in a row.. constantly, then nothing for weeks, even months. I think it's triggered by being around cigarette smoke, for even just a moment. It could be related to my menstrual cycle, have to look more closely at that. I don't know why but it helps to pull my shirt over my mouth and nose and breathe. At night I pull the covers over my nose. It makes me nauseous and my eyes sting. It drives me nuts and I'm just miserable. I hate knowing you all are going through this also, but I'm glad to know I'm not alone.

I thought I had just lost my mind, smelling smoke all the time for about the last 4 weeks. Couldn't imagine that anyone else would have this symptom. Well, off to the Doc next week, see what is up with this. Just for the record, I've never been diagnosed with a sinus infection, but I have had horrible sinus headaches my entire life, lately they've been intensifying to about 3 per week. I'll post what the doc says when I get back.

Hello, I have been smelling smoke for about two months now. What I feel is unique about my circumstance is that I recently purchased a home with a bacteria light and ozone odor eliminator on the furnace.

Do any of you have either? Other than that, my story is much the same. I smell it throughout the day, no one else does. As someone pointed out in this forum, I do smell it more strongly when the A/C is blowing. My condition is not so bad that I am losing my mind but I do find it annoying when I lay my head down to sleep and I smell it. I will go see an ENT next week and post my findings if any.