Cars with kids to become smoke-free

Nova Scotiahas becomethe first province to ban smoking in cars when children and teens are present.

A billdesigned to protect anyone under 18 from second-hand smokepassed Thursday as expected.

Barry Barnet, the province's minister of health promotion, said the legislation willcome into force by mid-January.

"We don't want to make criminals out of mothers and fathers, but we want to make sure the children are healthy and safe," he told reporters.

Barnet said anyoneviolating the smoking ban faces afine of $384.50, though he hopes police issue warnings rather than tickets at the beginning.

"They can issue warning tickets and hopefully over time that won't be necessary and that people will simply understand it's not a good behaviour," Barnet said.

An education campaign is planned to give smokers time to adjust to the ban, he added.

The amendment to the Smoke-free PlacesActwasbrought forwardby Liberal MLA Dave Wilson, who is pleased his bill passed in three weeks.

"The only explanation I can give you is,No. 1,it's the right thing to do when you're talking about the lives of children," Wilson said.

"No.2,it's probably a good example of just how a minority government should work and do some good. No. 3, it made perfect sense to do it."

Wilson was inspired by thetown of Wolfville, which passed a similar bylaw last month.

Wolfville Mayor Bob Stead suspects the provincewide ban is coming quickly because attitudes about smoking have changed.

"The awareness level now compared to five or six years ago on the smoking issue is the difference between daylight and dark," said Stead. "I feel very good about it."

The provincial banmeans Wolfvilleresidents will have to butt out in cars with children present months earlier than planned.