Strike a match. For a temporary smell of smoke in a confined area, blow the match out after striking it. Wave your hand next to the match to fan the smoke toward the person or thing you want to smell the smoke. For example, to test an alarm, you'd wave the smoke toward the smoke detector.
Light a cigarette. When you puff the cigarette, don't inhale the smoke into your lungs. Puff and blow out the smoke immediately after smoking. In a closed setting, the smoke will fill the air and the smell may stick to cloth and fabric items in the room.
Burn lightly scented incense sticks and then burn them out. The smoke smell will last briefly as the scent of the candle will take over.
Light unscented candles. Allow them to burn for a while, then blow out the candle. Fan the smoke in the direction that you want the smell to go.
Buy a chemical distillation set from a laboratory supply store. Purchase goggles for your protection. Online retailers such as Amazon sell distillation sets for as low as $40. Lab distribution supply chains such as The Lab Depot sell sets for as much as $300.
Buy dry peat from a landscaping supply store or a home and garden store. Buy the smallest amount that you can. You can also use pine oil from an organic supply store.
Follow the set's instruction for set up. Connect the pot to the column, and put the hot plate under the flask. Arrange the condenser so that it releases vapor.
Add water the dry peat or pine oil in one beaker. Add two parts water for every one part chemical substance. Heat the beaker until the dry peat and water dissolve or evaporate and the vapor is captured into the test tube. Mixing water with peat maximizes the odor released. The contents in the test tube will have that smoke smell.
Cover the tube to make sure the aroma doesn't escape. Add the contents to a spray bottle if you want to spray the air with that smoke aroma.
Use a marinade or rub such as smoked paprika or chipotle. Search the grocery store condiment aisle for rubs. Most will say "smoky flavor." Read the labels for "smoky aroma." Phenols, carbonyl compounds, and organic acids in the smoke create the smoky flavor.
Fire up the charcoal. Splash lighter fluid on the coals. Allow to coals to burn and leave the grill open. Once the fire dies down, add your meat and then cover the grill. You can use dried corncobs on a fire to create a sweet smoky smell and flavor.
Broil your dinner in a pan that catches oils from the meats. The oils burning in the bottom on the pan will create that smoky aroma that you are looking for.