Survey favours banning smoking behind the wheel

LONDON (Reuters) - Seventy percent of Britons think smoking at the wheel is so dangerous it should be banned in all cars, not just company fleets, when the smoking ban comes into force on July 1, according to a survey.

Almost a third (30 percent) of those surveyed for eBayMotors.co.uk, admitted having driven carelessly when lighting and stubbing out cigarettes, flicking ash, and when butts blow back into the car.

Over half (54 percent) of drivers say smoking at the wheel is as dangerous as using a mobile phone while driving and so should incur the same penalty points and 60-pound fine.

Smokers are also set to lose much more when they sell their car, the survey says. One in two buyers refuse point blank to buy a car from a smoker because of the smell, stained interiors and potential damage from burns.

Of those who would consider purchasing a car previously owned by a smoker, 55 percent would expect discounts of more than 500 pounds off the sale price.

The survey was carried out in May by Tickbox among 1,277 adults.