Alberta bans smoking in vehicles with children present

Smoking in a vehiclewith children present will soonbe illegal in Alberta.

Under the legislation, smokers can be fined $1,000 for lighting up when someone under 18 is in the vehicle.

The law, sponsored by Liberal leader and emergency room doctorRaj Sherman,was passed unanimouslyin the legislature Monday.

Sherman expects the new law to be more educational than punitive.

"My hope is that it actually doesn't need to be enforced that people just won't smoke in their cars with their kids," he said.

The government hasn't said when it will become law.

Most provinces andsome municipalities in Alberta, such as Leduc and Okotoks,have alreadypassed similar bans.

Premier Alison Redfordpromised during her recent leadership campaign that she would ban smoking in vehicles with children.