WITH new legislation now in force to make Britain’s workplaces and public spaces smoke free, a survey has revealed the country’s van drivers are largely oblivious to just how far the new rules will apply.

Vansunited.co.uk, canvassed 1,879 van men and found that nearly half of them (46%) knew nothing of specific rules regarding commercial vehicles.

Remarkably, only 4% were aware that they would be liable for a fine of up to £1,000 for failing to display no smoking signs in their vans.

Communication is an issue, with just under half those questioned (49%) reporting that they had received no information from their employers on the new law that will see all enclosed workplaces – including vehicles – become smoke-free zones.

Currently, almost one in three (32%), of van drivers smoke, with nearly all of those (29%), regularly doing so in their vans. Forty per cent allow colleagues to do so.