LONDON– The smoking ban in England will have a positive effect in helping car owners to protect their residual values at remarketing time said British Car Auctions, according to the Web site www.motortrader.com. The ban, which comes into force next week, should mean fewer ex-fleet cars will be offered for sale with smoker’s damage. Therefore, fleet owners should see the benefit in improved residual values, the BCA said.

Operations director for the BCA, Simon Henstock said, “When it is time for it to be sold, a ‘smoked in’ vehicle is much less appealing to buyers. Nicotine stains build up in the cabin, the cigarette smell lingers, and almost inevitably, there is burn damage somewhere. Research we have carried out with buyers shows they place presentation on a par with, if not above, a service history or details of previous ownership.”

Meanwhile, Skoda revealed this week that 64 percent of company car drivers were welcoming the ban, with 73 percent of women drivers favoring the ban. Health risks associated with passive smoking and the permanent taint of smoke inflicted on car drivers were among the reasons listed for supporting the ban.