- © 2008 Canadian Medical Association
Anti-smoking activists say a new bar for protecting children from the harmful effects of tobacco was raised in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, when the municipality became the first in Canada to ban adults from smoking in automobiles when anyone under the age of 18 is present.
The bylaw, passed unanimously by the Wolfville town council last November, is scheduled to come into effect in June. First violators will receive a warning but drivers who subsequently fail to butt out will be issued a $50–$200 fine.
“The council, I think, has once again reflected the conscience of the community while dealing with an issue on behalf of an element of the population, that is, children, that don't always or often have the right to change the environment in which they might find themselves,” Mayor Bob Stead told reporters.
“It's an important issue,” said Dr. Don Pugsley, president of Doctors Nova Scotia,” which provided letters of support to organizations pushing for passage of the legislation. “Anything that can be done to educate parents and adults is critical.”
The Canadian Cancer Society has estimated that 20% of children under the age of 12 are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke in cars.
The new law goes a long way to protecting young people, noted Pugsley. “Children don't often have a voice for themselves on health issues,” he said, adding that cars are “an environment where they can't walk away.”
Activists hope Wolfville's lead will quickly be followed by other communities across Canada. “It's important these precedents move forward,” says Pugsley.