Help & FAQ

NoGuri is a shared map of secondhand smoke: see where smoke was spotted nearby, and take another way. Here is how it works, and answers to the questions people ask most.

How NoGuri works

1. Check the map before you head out. Marks show where people nearby have seen smoke, cigarette butts and smoking areas.
2. Spotted smoke? Tap Mark smoke, move the map so the pin sits on the smoke, then tap Choose type and pick what you saw.
3. Take another way. With an account you can also plan a Clean-air route that steers around marked smoke.

Common questions

Why is the map empty?

The map shows marks people nearby have left, and smoke does not last: a Smoke Spotted mark disappears after about 6 hours. An empty area usually means nobody has reported smoke there lately. If you are browsing without an account, marks other people left are hidden, and you see only official zones from public records, where they exist, and the marks you placed yourself.

Why can't I tap Choose type?

Marks can only be placed on the spot. The pin has to be within about 50 to 150 metres of where you are, inside the circle drawn on the map; the circle is wider when your GPS is less accurate. Move the map until the pin is inside the circle, or step into the open for a better fix.

What do the marks mean, and when do they disappear?

Smoke Spotted means someone is smoking there right now, and it disappears after about 6 hours. Cigarette Butt marks litter and lasts about 3 days. Smoking Area is a place where people regularly smoke, and it stays until people report it gone. No-Smoking Zone marks come from public records. Tap the status chip at the top of the map to see what is around you, each icon next to its name.

Why do some marks look faded?

Marks fade as they age, so a fresh report stands out from an old one. When someone taps Still Here, the mark stays on the map longer. Official zones do not fade.

What is the difference between Still Here and reporting a mark?

Tap Still Here when the smoke or litter is still there: it tells others the mark is current and keeps it on the map longer. Report a mark when it is gone or does not belong on the map. When three different people report the same mark, it is removed. Official zones are not removed this way; use the link on the zone to tell us what is wrong.

What is the smoke forecast?

Some places get smoke again and again, often at the same hours. The forecast shades those places on the map and shows the hours smoke is usually reported there, based on the last four weeks of reports. It is an estimate, not a live report, and a place only appears after at least two people have reported smoke there three times or more between them. It needs an account.

Why won't proximity alerts turn on?

Smoke proximity alerts need two permissions on your phone: notifications, so the alert can reach you, and location, so the app knows when smoke is near. If either is off, Settings says which one and takes you to where you can allow it. Alerts work while NoGuri is open; the app does not track your location in the background. They need an account.

How do clean-air routes work?

Tap the walking button on the map and choose where you are going. NoGuri plans a Clean-air route that steers around marked smoke, and tells you about any strong smoke it still passes. Routes need an account and work for walks of up to 15 km.

Can other people see where I am?

No. NoGuri uses your location while the app is open, to show the smoke around you, to check that a mark is placed on the spot, to start a route from where you are, and for alerts. Other people never see your location, and marks do not show who placed them. The details are in our Privacy Policy

Can I use NoGuri without an account?

Yes. Tap Browse the map without an account on the sign-in screen. As a guest you see official zones from public records where they exist, and you can place up to 3 marks, which stay on your phone and go on the shared map when you sign in or create an account, as long as they have not expired by then. Other people's marks, confirming, reporting, routes and alerts need an account.

How do I delete my account?

In Settings, scroll to the bottom, tap Delete account and confirm. It takes effect at once. The full steps, and what is kept, are on this page: Delete your account

Still have a question?

Use Send feedback in Settings, which adds your app version for us, or write to contact@noguri.app