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

The businesses are now risking substantial fines for failing to ensure that their company vehicles are smoke free.

A survey by Vansunited.co.uk, an online commercial vehicle sales site, found that just 51% of the 1,073 of van drivers questioned have been provided with a “no smoking” sticker for their van. This is leaving hundreds of companies open to fines of up to £1,000 for failing to display the sign.

The survey also found that many workers remain baffled by the laws affecting lighting up in company vehicles.

It found that 44% are still unaware of the rules regarding smoking in company vehicles and that only 22% are being offered support to help them avoid smoking in their van.

Of those drivers questioned, almost one-in-three (32%) 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.

“Although we may not all agree with the new legislation, our research has shown more support is needed for UK workers – some of whom are heavy smokers – to help them manage the personal implications of the ban and avoid the temptation of lighting up whilst driving,” said Duncan Colman, manager of Vansunited.

“It will be small businesses that feel the force of the Govern-ment’s penalties should their workers be caught sparking up.”

The change in the law, which came into effect at the start of July, states that all vehicles covered by the ban should display no-smoking signs in each area of the vehicle in which people can sit.

The maximum fine for non-compliance is £1,000 if convicted by a court.

Companies that fail in their duty to prevent smoking in vehicles covered by the ban are risking a maximum fine of £2,500.