BCA highlights the financial pain of smoking in cars as Labour launches bid to ban smoking in vehicles
A new Labour plan to ban smoking in all cars that have children in them will be voted on soon the House of Lords. Prior to the vote however a new study from the British Car Auctions (BCA) proves that smoking in the car can do more than just cause health issues as it may also carry with it several severe financial implications.
BCA spokesman Tim Naylor, explained that the British Medical Association has released figures that show that the toxins contained in a car filled with smoky air can be as much as 11 times higher than what is found in a smoky bar. He added that if this is not enough to motivate drivers to put their cigarette out, perhaps the fact that they are hurting their finances will be because cars that have been smoked in have a much lower resale value. “Presentation is one of the top factors influencing the price of used cars. So if a car is more like an ashtray on wheels, chances are buyers will move on to find one that looks and smells fresh as a daisy.”
Professional valeting can alleviate most of the effects of smoking, but is expensive and time consuming and might mean replacing some interior trim, such as nicotine-stained headlinings and repairing any cigarette burns in the cabin. In the worst cases, this can represent an investment of several hundred pounds.
Naylor concluded “Motorists should avoid having a cigarette in their car, especially if they intend to sell it in the near future. This will avoid the lingering smell of cigarettes in the interior, as well as eliminate the risk of scorch marks on the upholstery or dash. All of these things will put buyers off, even if they smoke themselves.”
