Renting home where prior tenants smoked inside.

I am assuming you cleaned the outside too? Could it be frosted or tempered glass?

You could try washing it with warm water and TSP. If you prefer not to do that, try hot water and cleaning vinegar. Nothing worse than nicotine residue. Best of luck.

most likely the seal is broken on the window

I would try vinegar - soak it as much as possible then use one of those sponges with the netting made for Teflon.

It would have to be completely painted to rid it of smoke.

Hello, Try mixing white vinegar and baking soda in water and add a couple drops of dawn.

Got to the Dollar Tree and get a bottle of Awesome Degreaser, and the half gallon of Awesome Orange, then pick up the car sponge, kitchen rubber gloves and round plastic scrubbies. I do tons of clients houses who smoke and this stuff melts it off without having to do serious scrubbing, use the car sponge with some of the orange hot water, and the degreaser for any stubborn spots.

Try cleaning it with 91% rubbing alcohol on an old t-shirt. You will be amazed at the amount of gunk on the rag. Keep doing it until it is clean. For the walls, use a Mr. Clean Sponge.