Fine introduced for second hand smoking in cars

The BC government has set $109, as the fine, for those caught smoking in vehicles with children under the age of 16.

That’s the same as the province’s booster seat fine and, failure to pay, will result in a refusal to issue, both a driver’s licence and auto insurance.

The new regulations are set to go into effect on April 7th, which is World Health Day. Healthy Living and Sport Minister Mary Polak says, "Any level of second hand smoke has harmful effect on a child’s health and, it’s important for the government to help them get the best and healthiest start in life".

BC is not the first jurisidiction in the country to ban smoking in automobiles, with regulations already in place in Ontario, Nova Scotia and the Yukon.