Rental-Car Firms Ban Smoking

Budget Rent-a-Car and Avis are prohibiting smoking in their rental vehicles as of Oct. 1, the Los Angeles Times reported Sept. 13.

The agencies announced that all rental vehicles will now have a sticker warning drivers and passengers not to smoke. The policy will be applied to all vehicles in their fleets.

Renter face a $250 fee if a car is returned smelling of smoke or with other evidence that someone has been smoking in the car.

“Tobacco smoke leaves a residue on fabrics, fibers and surfaces of vehicles, which emits odors that many people find unpleasant,” said Avis Budget Group official Larry De Shon. “In fact, we receive more customer requests for smoke-free vehicles than any other special request.”