How does smoke effect speakers?

02-26-09: Rja
Cigarette smoke makes your speakers stink dude!!!

You got that right. Even more so for electronics. It's amazing - I can usually perdict the chances of the previous owner getting lung cancer by simply opening the box when the used gear is shipped to me.

I found an old Marantz 1060 amp at Goodwill which I purchased for next to nothing. The owner must have been a chain smoker since the exterior was all gunked up and yellowed. After it was energized and warmed up, you could smell the nicotine. It is now sitting out in the barn.

You can clean up the nicotine (on the outer surfaces of electronics) with rubbing alcohol.

Bill........ DONT YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN! :)

I suppose, if the speakers are really nice, you could consider it a "patina" as they say on Antiques Roadshow :^)
Do NOT refinish, it will ruin the "value"!