chimmike

Cabin filters typically aren't gonna filter out something like cig smoke smell. They're more particulate filters from what I've seen...now unless they've gotten better and to HEPA standards, maybe that's sufficient?

"Back in my day, we didn't need no stinkin filters in our car a/c system, we were just fortunate it worked!"

RL1990

The smell of cancer sticks destroys the interior of a vehicle, no matter how clean it is. Absolute deal breaker for me.

The biggest benefit of cabin filters is that they keep the evaporator from getting clogged with dirt and debris which, over time, reduces A/C performance.

chimmike

Ozone machine will get the smell out, especially of the headliner, but if it's left in the car too long, the headliner will shrink/start to fall off and will need to be redone.
We bought a used jetta diesel years ago and the first owner smoked cigars. The dealer used the ozone machine on it, got all the smell out, but they tried to sell it to us with the headliner hanging. I said "NO WAY, find yourself a buyer for this previously smoked-in car with a hanging headliner".....suffice to say they fixed the headliner and we got a good deal. And then remembered why we don't buy VW's (electrical crap...and a motor which liked to eat camshafts due to insufficient oiling from factory).

moparado

You got to be kidding.