Smokers caught lighting up in their car while children are present could soon be burning money as well under a new law that would impose steep fines.
The new legislation passed unanimously through the Alberta legislature on Monday imposing a $1,000 fine for anyone caught smoking in a vehicle while a person under 18 is present.
The bill was a private member’s bill from Liberal opposition leader Raj Sherman, but in a rare move it received government support. Sherman thanked all parties and all members who voted for the bill and said he was glad to see the legislature come together on the issue, even with an election looming.
“I was hopeful that everyone would focus on the importance of the safety of our children and my hope was upheld by all the members.
“I know sometimes things get heated in the legislature, but this is a great way to finish the session.”
As part of accommodation made to make sure the bill would pass, Sherman agreed to a proposed amendment that will put implementing the law at the behest of the government.
Sherman’s original law called for the bill to come into force on Jan 1. 2013, but it will now come into force when the government has the law proclaimed.
Sherman said he was inspired to introduce the law through his work in emergency rooms as a physician, where he saw young children with asthma and respiratory problems who had been exposed to smoke on the ride to the emergency room.
“That affects the immediate safety of that child.”
Sherman acknowledges the $1,000 fine is steep and he hopes it sends a clear sign to people not to smoke while children are present.
“It is a big fine because it is a big danger to the safety of our kids,” he said. “My hope is that no one will have to get fined, because no one smokes in a car with young people.”
Les Hagen, executive director of the group Action on Smoking and Health, welcomed the news and said it is important legislation.
“We need to do everything we can to protect people from the health hazards of tobacco and one of those hazards is second-hand smoke.”
He said in a recent survey 30 per cent of junior high school students reported being exposed to smoke in a vehicle in the previous seven days.
“It is not an isolated problem. It is a common problem and it is unfortunate that it has to be legislated, but some parents still aren’t getting the message.
When the Alberta law comes into place it will be one of the last provinces to implement legislation. Okotoks and Leduc have municipal bylaws already in place that cover smoking in vehicles while children are present.
Health minister Fred Horne said the government didn’t have a firm date for when the law would be proclaimed and come into force, but said they were looking at it as part of a long-term strategy that would look at issues around smoking, including sales to minors and flavoured tobacco.
