There are many missing variables. I doubt this was a scientific study though as the background appears to be a home. My guess is that one chair was in an area like a garage or parlor where smoking was allowed and one was in a room it wasn't. Due to not knowing the differences in conditions between the chairs (like exposure to UV as sun light and elements) and length of exposure speculation would be dubious at best. What is an observable and known fact though is that exposure to cigarette smoke does effect most common items and materials, paint, wall paper, walls, most upholstery and fabric, and plastics are degraded and dirtied by smoke exposure. This is true of any smoke not just cigarettes, however cigarette smoke has unique properties and in enclosed spaces also deposites tar, nicotine, and other residue. You can see glass which is exposed to frequent cigarette smoke takes on a sort of "rainbow" haze like an oil slick. All smoke is detrimental to health and damages man items as fact
*lights up a joint*