Where you place the products will matter too. MacMurray advises placing a small air purifier, like the Levoit Core Mini ($50) in the offending closet. If you dont have an outlet in there, hanging activated charcoal bags inside can help too. Theyre fantastic for absorbing odors and moisture in spaces with no ventilation, she says. By using both an air purifier and charcoal bags, you should start noticing a difference.Our experts have another strategy: blocking the aromas before they get in. For the cigarette smoke, Id try to seal up the front door with a door sweep and weather stripping to try to block it out, says Laura Fenton, the author of the Substack Living Small and book of the same name.There are some vents filters that can help too. Kuo notes the brand Lisol offers one that can be cut to size and there are products that have activated charcoal too. Just make sure air can still flow through. It's not a good idea to seal off the vents, as it can disrupt air circulation, Fenton notes.You might also ask your neighbors if theyre experiencing similar issues. This can help pinpoint the source. The neighbor may be unaware that they are negatively impacting other apartments, Fenton says.It's worth asking neighbors in the building if they are experiencing similar odor issues as well.Photo: draganab/Getty ImagesIf multiple apartments are experiencing the same problem, it may give you more leverage when talking to the landlord. Under NYC law, smoking or vaping in common areas of a building with three or more unitsincluding stairwells, hallways, and lobbiesis prohibited. I always say to ask questions of your landlord because so many of us who rent dont ask enough of them, Deane says.Hopefully these interventions help you breathe easier. But if the problem persists to the point where youre scrolling for new listings, note that some NYC buildings have smoke-free policies in their listings and might be worth seeking out.