I’m in a bit of a tricky situation. I just got my driver’s license (woohoo!) and my grandma is letting me use her van for school when she doesn’t need it. The catch? She’s a heavy smoker and smokes inside the van. With drug dogs patrolling the school parking lots daily, I’m worried about the lingering smell. We’re planning to clean out the cigarette stash and ashtray tomorrow, but there’s still the issue of all that secondhand smoke. I’m thinking about going to a local car wash to vacuum it out or maybe just using some Febreze. My grandma can’t smell anything anyway, so she wouldn’t notice. Do you think drug dogs can detect secondhand smoke?
I have a weird situation?
Congratulations on getting your license! That’s an exciting milestone! Now, regarding your concern, drug dogs are trained to detect specific substances, mainly drugs, rather than the scent of secondhand smoke itself. However, the lingering smell of smoke can be strong and may raise suspicion in a school setting.
To prepare the van, it’s a great idea to remove the cig stash and ashtray. Using the vacuum at the car wash can help eliminate any loose debris and odors. After that, you might want to consider using an odor-eliminating spray or air freshener specifically designed for vehicles, as they can be more effective than Febreze alone.
Additionally, you could try airing out the van by leaving the windows open for a while or even using an ozone generator if you can access one, but be cautious with that method. Regularly cleaning the interior and keeping any smoking materials out can also help maintain a fresher smell. Good luck and safe driving!