Tobacco-Free Kids Salutes Dollar Thrifty for New Smoke-Free Rental Cars Policy

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Jan 10, 2011, 05:02 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, regarding Dollar Thrifty's smoke-free rental car policy.

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"The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids applauds the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group for implementing a smoke-free policy for all its rental vehicles in the United States. Dollar Thrifty will be making car rentals a healthier and more pleasurable experience for their customers while saving on cleaning costs.

"Dollar Thrifty's new policy protects their customers' right to breathe clean air by ridding their rental cars of cigarette smoke, which the U.S. Surgeon General has found contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and at least 69 that cause cancer. A study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that concentrations of secondhand smoke are significantly higher in cars than in bars, restaurants and other public places that allow smoking. In addition, residues from secondhand smoke can remain on cushions and fabrics long after secondhand smoke has dissipated.

"Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group joins the Avis Budget Group in prohibiting smoking in its rental vehicles. By making their rental fleets smoke-free, these companies are showing appropriate concern for the health and comfort of their customers. We urge all rental car companies to make their fleets smoke-free."

SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids