Tories back smoking ban in cars with kids

Theidea of banningsmoking in carswithchildren present is catching fire.

Nova Scotia's Progressive Conservative governmentis backinga Liberal bill to make it illegal provincewide to light upin a vehicle carryinganyone under 18.

Liberal health critic Dave Wilson, who brought the bill forward, is convinced the smoking ban will save lives.

"I think it's the right thing to do and I think unfortunately sometimes you have to regulate to protect our children," he said Thursday.

Wilson was inspired by Wolfville,the first Canadian municipality to ban smoking in vehicles when a child is present.

The town in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley passedthe bylaw last month. First-time offenders get a warning, but repeat offenders face a $50 fine.

Wilson said he's grateful for the government support for his bill.

It now moves to the law amendments committee, where the public will get a chance to comment.