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Smoking bans are spreading from planes, trains and buses to another mode of transit: rental cars.
Beginning Oct. 1, Avis and Budget will become the first major rental-car companies to ban smoking in their entire North American fleets and to impose a cleaning fee of up to $250 on customers who smoke in the cars.
As an Ex smoker and I dont agree with this. I understand some just does not want to be in a car that smells like smoke. But how about having a couple cars for smokers.
Smoking bans are spreading from planes, trains and buses to another mode of transit: rental cars.
Beginning Oct. 1, Avis and Budget will become the first major rental-car companies to ban smoking in their entire North American fleets and to impose a cleaning fee of up to $250 on customers who smoke in the cars.
This is nothing really new. Budget and Hertz have been offering Non-Smoking rentals as an option for years. At least as far back as 2002. I know because in 2002 and 2003 I did a lot of air travelling and rental cars from both of those companies and I was always able to get a No-Smoking-Designated car. And if I was given one that clearly smelled of smoke (which did happen twice) I immediately went back to the desk and not only did I get a non-smoked-in one, they gave me an upgrade both times.
Auto dealer service departments have also made their loaner cars Non-Smoking (at least in my area) for the past year or two. In fact the dealership that I go to has incorporated a fine into their loaner agreeement (which the customer must sign before getting the car) that if the car is returned with any evidence of smoking, the customer agrees to pay a $299 fee for a complete detailing.
We already rent nonsmoking cars, due to the ugly stench and my asthma. So far, I have never had one smell like smoke, but I would complain if I did.
I'm not sure what I think about the ban. On the one hand, I think it's easier to rent a car that doesn't smell like an ashtray, and the likelihood of burn holes in the upholstery is certainly greatly reduced. On the other hand, if people want to smoke themselves to death and smell disgusting, that's up to them, so maybe the rental companies should offer smoking cars.
I do agree with the charge for cleaning a nonsmoking car, though. If you sign an agreement and then violate it, you are liable for the consequences.
It's a shame about Budget, though - they had pretty good rates.
Considering there are many more non smokers VS smokers I seriously doubt your threats to boycott their cars will work. I will be using Budget and Avis all the time now.
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