Hundreds of companies operating light commercial fleets are still not compliant with the new smoking regulations, three months after they came into force.

These businesses are now risking fines of up to £1,000 for failing to ensure that their company vehicles are smoke free as they have not issued no smoking stickers.

The findings have been published by Vansunited.co.uk, an online commercial vehicle sales site, and also reveal that many workers remain baffled by the laws affecting lighting up in company vehicles.

The survey of 1,073 van drivers found:

  • 44% are still unaware of the rules regarding smoking in company vehicles.
  • 22% are being offered support to help them avoid smoking in their van.
  • 51% have been provided with a ‘no smoking’ sticker for their van,
  • 32% of van drivers smoke, with nearly all of those having done so previously in their vehicle. Of these, 11% have admitted to smoking a cigarette in their van since the ban.

    Smoke free advice:

    1. Ensure no smoking signs are displayed in all vans to avoid workers and businesses being at risk of a fine (available from gosmokefree.co.uk)

    2. Provide information and support to drivers from the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 1690169 or visit gosmokefree.co.uk

    3. Ensure existing and new drivers are aware of your smoke free policy and know the penalties they could face personally

    Website:

    www.gosmokefree.co.uk.