Can You Smoke in a Rental Car in Crete?

May 16, 2022 - Reading time: 4 minutes
Smoking in a Rental Car in Crete

Crete is an island that has a little bit of everything. From ancient ruins such as the Knossos Palace and beautiful beaches like Elafonissi. Whatever your preference is, you’re certain to find it all in Crete. But, to ensure you get the most out of your experience in this magnificent island, renting a car in Crete is the best way to go. 

While taxis and buses are an option, rental cars in Crete provide you the freedom of exploring Crete at your own pace. Plus, you can choose the type of vehicle you like,  depending on your budget and preference. 

However, one concern many people have about rental cars is whether or not they can smoke in one. If you’d like to find out about the answer, read on below: 

Can You Smoke in Your Rental Car? 

Each person is indeed different, some have vices and some don’t. While there may be people who prefer to stay away from tobacco, others enjoy the taste of it. Smoking in Crete is very common since locals themselves enjoy the habit. However, when it comes to renting a car, you are not allowed to do so. 

You must never smoke inside the car you’ve rented. If you do, rental companies may charge you a hefty fine. Plus, you might even get a traffic violation if caught. The reason for this is, that smoke contains nicotine which can stick to the car’s seats and its other parts. The smell of tobacco is very strong and it can linger for days. If you return the car in this state, the next user might be having some problems. You may not be aware of this, too but even when time has passed, nicotine that sticks into certain places can still affect your health too. 

As such, smoking in a rental car is prohibited. If you do smoke, it’s better to make a stop over with a great view and smoke outside. Not only will this help you avoid paying unnecessary fees, but it’ll also get you to enjoy amazing scenery! 

Understanding The Policy of Smoke-free Rental Cars 

Most major rental car companies have policies against smoking in their vehicles. This policy is in place to safeguard others, but it's also a cost-effective option for rental car firms. 

Rental car agencies in Crete must be able to clean the rental cars fast in order to keep their inventory moving and ready to use for the next customer.

With the occurrence of COVID-19, your rental car company is already paying more attention to cleaning in greater depth and for longer periods of time to ensure everybody’s safety during COVID-19 when renting a car. Adding the step of fumigating the car to remove the smoke odor can lengthen the process, increase costs, and cause delays. 

It is also possible to avoid having to get a new vehicle for a customer because the prior customer smoked some tobacco in the rental car if people follow the smoke-free policy. When people disregard the policy, it causes delays for the next client and can cost the organization time, money, and even a bad reputation.

The Penalty of Smoking in Rental Cars 

If you decide to smoke in your rental car against company regulations, the rental car company may charge you a cleaning fee. This is because the vehicle will be out of service for a longer period of time in order to deodorize it for the next driver and avoid another customer refusing to accept it. 

The cleaning fee may be added to the overall rental cost. Depending on the rental car business, the cleaning fee can cost hundreds of euros. 

How to Avoid the Hefty Fines? 

To avoid this from happening, the most straightforward option is to refrain from smoking in your car. Make more stops to allow yourself to smoke outside of the car, or better yet, look into smokeless alternatives while driving. You can always smoke once you arrive at your destination. Also, remind any passengers to follow the policy. 

If you’ve already smoked in your rental car, you may be asking what you can do now.

Remember that the cleaning fee for smoking in the vehicle might be hundreds of dollars, so paying for expert cleaning before returning the vehicle may be a better option. You’ll be able to find a cheaper cleaning company that can help you clear out the smell of tobacco from the rental car. This way, you have the chance of saving some money. 

Read also:
▹ Can You Rent a Car With a Debit Card in Crete?
▹ Can You Rent a Car with Cash in Crete?
▹ What type of equipment is available with car rental in Crete?
▹ Can I rent a GPS sat nav with my car hire in Crete?