THE Society of Motor Manufacturer and Traders' five-year campaign programme to change public attitudes towards the car started this week with the launch of Stop Fuming Week. The campaign's aim is to position the industry as an environmentally responsible one.

The SMMT is working closely with the Government and its 'greener vehicles' campaign under which free emission checks are given to vehicles in 10 pilot areas - Birmingham, Bristol, Canterbury, Derby, Glasgow, Leicester, Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Swansea and Westminster. The aim of the Stop Fuming campaign is to emphasise the importance of running well-serviced, well-tuned vehicles to minimise the impact on the environment.

The week was officially launched by Transport Minister John Reid and focuses on the promotion of the free emission checks and the need to service vehicles regularly. As the campaign started it was claimed that 17% of vehicles tested - mostly older non-fleet vehicles - did not meet current emission regulations.