Canada Ready For Smoking Curbs In Cars, Cancer Group Says
01/25/08
According to the Canadian Cancer Society there is widespread support for laws which would ban smoking in cars carrying young people.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society there is widespread support for laws which would ban smoking in cars carrying young people.
The society commissioned a poll that suggests the vast majority of Canadians including smokers would support the idea.
Last month, Nova Scotia became the first province to legislate a ban on smoking in cars carrying children, after the town of Wolfville passed a municipal bylaw banning the practice in November.
Rob Cunningham, a senior policy analyst for the cancer society, said in a statement that the response to its poll suggests the country would support similar legislation elsewhere.
He added, "We believe the Nova Scotia legislation is the start of a groundswell of change across Canada."
"With the support of Canadians firmly behind us, the society will continue to work hard to make sure this important health legislation is adopted by other provinces and municipalities across Canada."
Private members' bills aimed at banning smoking in vehicles carrying children have already been introduced in British Columbia and Ontario.
The poll for the Cancer Society suggests that 82 per cent of Canadians agreed that smoking should be prohibited in cars transporting children and teenagers under the age of 18.