Quebec could prohibit smoking in vehicles in the presence of minor

The Government of Quebec could prohibit smoking a cigarette in their vehicle if they are carrying minors.

The health minister, Yves Bolduc, intends to route the file to the Council of Ministers, after the militants Liberal Party of Quebec had adopted a resolution to that effect at their general council held in Laval.

He said he was very favorable to this measure of protection for the health of the people of minor age when we know that smoking in cars represents a high concentration of smoke. Mr. Bolduc does not fear that eventual legislation on this matter is contested on the basis of respect for individual rights.

In 2006, the Charest government had amended the Tobacco Act to prohibit its use in public places, including bars and restaurants. The Ministry of Health was then indicates its intention to reassess the legislation and to add other items in 2010.

Mr. Bolduc might expect this revision, but it does not preclude the possibility of presenting a separate bill more quickly to ban smoking in vehicles in the presence of a minor.

The resolution adopted by the liberal activists, presented by regional policy commission of the Monteregie West, states that "the smoke in a vehicle can be up to 27 times greater than in a residence occupied by a smoker."

She also noted that "the respiratory system of children is particularly sensitive to the harmful smoke."

Nova Scotia was the first province in Canada to ban smoking in vehicles in the presence of a minor in 2008.

It was then imitated by Ontario in January, and British Columbia.

A 2008 Environics poll conducted for the Canadian Cancer Society revealed that 82 percent of Canadians believe that smoking should not be allowed to smoke in cars on board which are children and adolescents.

In addition, 69 percent of smokers interviewed said they agreed with this idea.