Each year an average of 65,000 calls are received complaining about vehicles emitting excessive visible exhaust. The program is geared towards educating the public that smoking vehicles contribute 20 to 30 percent of the soot and particles in the air and that particulate matter is injurious to health. A major component of the educational program is that smoking vehicles can be prevented by keeping vehicles in good repair. Smoking vehicles generate 10 to 15 times more pollution than well-tuned vehicles. A high percentage of those receiving notification, from the Air District that their vehicle was reported, return a form confirming that their vehicle was smoking and that steps were taken to have the problem repaired.
Smoke is made up of tiny particles that can lodge in the lungs.
Recent studies have shown these small particles are a major contributor to respiratory diseases. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District's smoking vehicle program helps to encourage owners of smoking vehicles to get the vehicle repaired before they get a ticket. The Air District sends letters to vehicle owners notifying them of the air quality consequences of smoking vehicles, warns them of the possibility of being cited and encourages them to have their vehicle checked and repaired. Although deisel vehicles emit some smoke on acceleration, they should not smoke constantly. All vehicles, including diesels, are subject to the same smoking vehicle law as gasoline engines.