TULSA, Okla. -

Dealers looking for used vehicles from non-smoking owners now have another source for units that might be coming down the auction lanes.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group announced Tuesday that Dollar and Thrifty rental vehicles are now 100-percent smoke-free as a result of the company’s new policy prohibiting smoking by renters at all U.S. corporate stores and participating franchise locations. 

Executives explained renters who do not comply with the new policy and return vehicles after smoking may face a charge of up to $250. They insisted this cost is necessary to cover the special cleaning required to remove all traces of tobacco residue and smoky odor from a vehicle’s interior.

DTAG indicated rental units that have been smoked in will be immediately grounded upon inspection and removed for a thorough detailing before being returned for customer use.

Furthermore, the company pointed out all rental units in Dollar and Thrifty fleets display a “No Smoking” sticker notifying renters of the potential charge for noncompliance. 

“We’re extremely pleased to now offer a 100 percent smoke-free fleet,” stated Scott Thompson, Dollar Thrifty president and chief executive officer. “We are passionate about providing our value-oriented customers with a rental experience that is consistent with our high standards, and we think that fresh, clean and smoke-free car interiors are essential to achieving our objectives.

“We think it is important to follow suit with the rest of the U.S. travel industry’s non-smoking approach so that travelers always have a smoke-free means of transportation,” Thompson went on to say “We’re confident this new policy will not only be widely-accepted by customers, but greatly appreciated as well.”