It is now illegal to smoke in a car carrying anyone under the age of 18 – even if the windows are down or the sunroof is open.

A look at the facts and it’s hard not to agree with the new law, even if you’re a smoker. According to the British Lung Foundation, more than 430,000 children are exposed to second-hand smoke in cars each week and the knock-on effects for these passive smoking youngsters can include chest infections, asthma and ear issues.

Keep your car in better health too
The benefits of the ban for young passengers can’t be argued and while it’s far, far less important, the ban will also work to keep many a smoker’s car in better health too.

A car that reeks of cigarette smoke is a major turnoff for potential buyers – no matter if it’s the right colour, specification or price. According to the trade, the mere whiff of smoke can knock £100s off a car’s value and leave it sitting forlorn on the forecourt.

Damage isn’t limited to a nasty odour
General consensus is that many drivers believe it’s unlikely that you can ever shift the smell completely. A valet may go some way to decontaminating the interior, although it often just masks the smell rather than eliminating it, but the damage isn’t usually just limited to a nasty odour.

The smoke often stains headlinings and it’s far from unusual to find burn damage to the plastics, seats and carpets. ‘Smart’ repairs can tidy up the damage with it costing circa £50 to rectify one cigarette burn on a seat and, surprisingly, the busier the trim pattern the easier it being to achieve a good repair. It’s common to find a residue too, the material settling upon the interior surfaces and the glass as a by-product of the tobacco smoke.

A few cheap fixes
All’s not lost if you’re in the situation of trying to rid a car’s interior of the smell of smoke though, as there are a few cheap fixes to try before calling in the professionals or resigning yourself to living with it. Carpet cleaning products where you shake powder in and leave it to penetrate the trim are said to be a good start, while many have achieved decent results by sprinkling baking soda over the carpets or leaving it in bowls. Some drivers have even tried vinegar or coffee granules to absorb the smell.

Save your car from harm
So, if you’re an in-car smoker, there’s another reason to try and kick the habit. Not only will you preserve your health and that of your passengers, you’ll also save your car from harm.