Smoking ban extends to trucks and vans in freight exchanges
Date: 10 July 2007
The smoking ban that came into effect on July 1 in England extends to any vehicle used for work, including trucks and vans in freight exchanges, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) notes.
No-smoking signs will have to be displayed within vehicles, the group says, and heavy goods vehicles with a sleeper cab are not exempt - which is sure to be a bone of contention with truck-driving smokers.
In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, the ban applies to any vehicle used for work, ranging from company cars to farming vehicles. Of course, this will include vans and trucks with return loads. The law is being extended to vehicles in order to protect other workers who may use the same vehicle from the health risks posed by second hand smoke.
The FTA has produced a Smoking Compliance Guide, and additional queries can be answered by the FTA member advice centre on 0870 605 0000.
Meanwhile, unrepentant smokers have been flouting the smoking ban by lighting up in pubs.
Landlord Tony Blows of the Dog Inn, Hereford, told the Daily Telegraph that he was entitled to smoke in his pub since it was also his home.
"I'm doing it for the simple reason that this is my home. My wife and I work 200 hours a week in this pub. It's private property. There's no way they can stop us doing it," he said.
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