BT has become the first company to announce that it will apply new workplace smoking rules to company cars. %0D%0A %0D%0AUnder health and safety and employer liability rules company cars are considered an extension of the workplace. %0D%0A %0D%0AUnder new workplace smoking laws due to come into force in summer 2007 companies could be subject to massive fines if they are shown to have exposed employees to smoke. %0D%0A %0D%0A%22We are trying to promote good health among our staff which is why we are offering support to help people give up smoking. I hope this will encourage people to give up%22 Dr Paul Litchfield BT%27s chief medical officer told Fleet NewsNet. %0D%0A %0D%0ACompany car managers have called on other businesses to follow suit. %22It is a move which we wholly endorse%22 said David Brennan of LeasePlan. %0D%0A %0D%0A%22We would encourage other companies to take a similar stance to that taken by BT and implement a fleet policy banning smoking in their vans and company cars. %0D%0A %0D%0A%22We would also recommend they implement this policy sooner rather than later so that they are fully prepared when the new legislation comes into effect%22 he added. %0D%0A %0D%0AMotor insurance firms have backed the calls pointing to the dangers that distractions such as smoking may cause at the wheel.