Whilst stopped at the lights this morning on my route to work I noticed that the car next to me had two people smoking sat inside, the driver and a passenger. Before I go any further - I am not anti smoking, but would not want to be trapped in a confined space with other smokers.
My thoughts did not stray to the state of their health, more the damage they would be doing to their car. Which just goes to show I am spending too much time thinking about cars and their values. Laws are being investigated concerning adults smoking with children in the car, which I am sure will get widespread support. Calls for a total ban on smoking in cars will no doubt be thrown out, as a car is viewed as a personal space and nothing to do with anyone else, so therefore this would no doubt be an attack on civil liberties.
Smokers do need to think of the devaluing effect smoking can have on your car (aside from their health). Smoke damage to cars can be both seen and smelt, which could greatly reduce your resale value. The smell may not be that noticeable to you if you are a smokers, but this is something which hits non smokers as soon as the car door is opened. If you smoke in your car you can reduce the value of your car by hundreds of pounds. You wouldn't try to sell your car with a chip in your windscreen, as you know it would devalue your vehicle. Drivers need to look at smoking in the same way, the long term damage can often be impossible to reverse.
