Green Flag

Almost a quarter of motorists unaware ban puts a stop to smoking in work vehicles

29 June 2007

Widespread confusion over new law's impact on workplaces and work vehicles

New research from breakdown specialist Green Flag reveals that almost a quarter of Brits (23 per cent) do not realise motorists who share a work vehicle will no longer be able to light up while on the road when the new law comes into effect on July 1.

Furthermore, one-in-seven (16 per cent) motorists who share a vehicle with fellow workers or other members of the public are not aware that they will be banned from smoking in their car or van even if they're the only one in the vehicle at the time.

Green Flag has issued no-smoking stickers to be placed in each recovery vehicle and written to its network of thousands of breakdown recovery drivers with details of how the new legislation will affect them. The no-smoking signs will be prominently displayed in all drivers' breakdown recovery vehicles to ensure both drivers and members are aware of the new regulations.

Philippa Naylor, spokesperson for Green Flag, said: "The apparent confusion or a lack of knowledge about where the new law applies is worrying as it could lead to motorists inadvertently flouting the law once the ban comes into effect from July 1. Just knowing that the ban is upon us is not enough, in addition to the Government's generic advertising, companies must communicate with any employees or indeed members to ensure that all UK drivers in particular are clear about the impact and their own responsibilities."

Despite being bombarded with advertising and 99 per cent of Brits being aware of the impending clamp-down, confusion is certainly rife about where the new rules apply, especially when it comes to workplaces and work vehicles. One-in-seven (16 per cent) Brits do not realise the smoking ban will affect smoking in their workplace and 14 per cent are not aware smoking will no longer be condoned in restaurants, whilst 95 per cent of us know the ban means an end to smoking in bars and pubs.

However, the ban may have an impact among Britain's army of employed drivers, as a third (33 per cent) of motorists who share a work vehicle with other people say they will either smoke fewer cigarettes or quit completely once the ban comes into force.

Over one-in-ten (12 per cent) smokers overall say they intend to kick the habit altogether and more than half (57 per cent) of those who plan to cut down feel the ban is likely to encourage them to stop smoking in the near future.

Naylor continued: "A large number of affected motorists are still not aware the ban will apply to their work vehicles when the new law comes into effect. It's down to companies like us to help make sure our army of drivers are prepared for the ban and aware of the new rules. In a stressful situation such as a breakdown it can be tempting to light up, but it's our job to ensure our members are aware they will not be able to smoke inside our recovery vehicles from July 1. With an average call-out time of around 40 minutes, customers will have the opportunity for a quick cigarette while we're on our way to help them."

For further information about our breakdown cover please log onto: www.greenflag.com

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• Images are available. Contact the press office.
• Green Flag Motoring Assistance provides roadside rescue and recovery 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Green Flag's incident management centre in Leeds manages around 1m breakdown incidents each year.
• Green Flag has average call out time of around 40-minutes based on research undertaken between February 06 and January 2007.
• More than 85% of Green Flag customers get assistance within the hour (Internal monitoring between March 2006 - February 2007).
• More than 80% of vehicles are repaired at the roadside (Internal monitoring between March 2006 - February 2007).
• Customers have access to a national network of thousands of independent recovery agents in the UK and on mainland Europe.

Sources:

• Research commissioned by YouGov for RBS Insurance amongst 2,070 respondents between 11th to 13th June 2007. The survey was carried online and has been weighted to be representative of the GB population.
• There are 33 million drivers in the UK (Department for Transport 2006 figures)

Media calls

For further information contact Philippa Naylor at Green Flag on 0113 399 1387 (out of hours 07920 757 361) or email philippa.naylor@ukipartnerships.com

Calls may be monitored and / or recorded.