The mask works. It is made for industrial applications and, if you have the right size and you wear it correctly, it will filter out perfume, air freshener, cigarette smoke, formaldehyde, and other volatile chemicals. Painter's style masks and charcoal-lined scarfs do not stop chemicals from reaching your respiratory system. They only reduce the exposure. North Safety masks are widely considered to be the very best you can buy.
Nothing gets through.
I have been in freshly painted rooms, airplane bathrooms, and through the perfume sections of a department store and not smelled a thing. This mask has its limitations. It will not protect you from chemical exposures through your eyes and skin so don't expect it to allow you to spend extended periods in highly toxic environments you normally can not tolerate. Nor will it protect you from later exposures to chemicals that linger on your hair, skin, or clothing. This sounds obvious but I've seen a lot of people carry the mask in their laps or hands and using it for a couple breaths only after smelling something they react to.