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Nearly a quarter of drivers will ignore smoking ban in work vehicles

June 2007

A poll for Budget Van Insurance released today shows that 21% of respondents do not intend to adhere to the smoking ban in work vans or vehicles - due to come into force on 1st July.   The findings also show over one in ten people remain unaware of how the legislation will affect them when smoking in work vehicles.  

Despite more than a fifth of drivers claiming that they will ignore the ban, 61% of respondents believe that smoking should be banned in all vehicles in the same way that use of mobile phones is banned whilst behind the wheel.

Lisa Corston, Budget Van Insurance says:
“We are pleased that drivers are in support of an overall ban on smoking while driving but are concerned at the level of respondents who claim that they will ignore the ban.  We would urge all drivers who will be affected by legislation to adhere to it – not just for health reasons but for the sake of their profit margins. 

“With on the spot fines starting from £30 through to fines awarded by the court as high as £2,500 - we would urge businesses to stay on the right side of the law.”

The only smoking exemptions will be for vehicles with a roof that can be removed or stowed away.  Likewise, the law will apply to nearly all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places which will include temporary structures and shelters that have a roof and opening in the walls which is less than half the total area of the walls. 

Notes to editors
Online poll carried out by Budget Van Insurance among 500 drivers in June 2007. 
For more information visit www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/resources
For further information please contact:
Roland Cross/Nicola Pierce
Broadgate                                                                              020 7726 6111

The BGL Group

The Budget Group of Companies was established in 1992 and has grown to be the UK’s third largest personal lines insurance intermediary, through a combination of organic growth and a series of major strategic acquisitions.

It now arranges and administers insurance for around 1.5 million customers, has contact centre operations in Peterborough, Coventry, Sunderland, Peterlee and Cape Town, South Africa, and a number of websites, including – www.budgetvaninsurance.com.  It currently employs over 1500 people, and its head office is in Peterborough.

As an intermediary, Budget is able to access a wide range of underwriters, making it highly competitive in the marketplace.

Budget’s core products are motor, home, commercial vehicle and motorcycle insurance. The Group also offers a wide range of supplementary products, which include breakdown cover, legal protection, travel insurance and mortgage payment protection insurance.

In 2003, Budget launched Junction, its affinity arm, which provides insurance outsourcing services for major UK brands including Bradford & Bingley plc, Marks & Spencer Money, Debenhams and the Post Office.

Budget’s motorcycle division, Bennetts, is a leading player in the motorcycle insurance market. 

Budget is a trading style of BISL Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Registered Address: Pegasus House, Bakewell Road, Orton Southgate, PE2 6YS. Registered in England no 3231094