It's a first for a city in Alberta: soon drivers in Leduc won't be allowed to smoke in a car while children are inside.
Drivers who are caught smoking with a minor in the car, regardless of whether a window or sunroof is open, will face a $100 fine for the first offence – which doubles with second and subsequent offences.
"Leduc's smoke-free vehicles bylaw is intended to protect kids from second-hand smoke and to improve the quality of life in our community." Leduc Mayor Greg Krischke said in a press release.
The city's mayor hopes the bylaw sets the standard for the whole province.
"Our bylaw sends a clear message to the province that this is ultimately a provincial issue. We hope Leduc's leadership will encourage the provincial government to protect all Alberta children from second-hand smoke in vehicles, as is already the case in most jurisdictions in Canada."
The City of Leduc has already garnered praise from The Lung Association of Alberta and the Northwest Territories for the new bylaw. The city received an award in May recognizing the city's leadership on the issue.
The Town of Okotoks passed a similar bylaw in September, 2008.
Both the Town of Athabasca and City of Medicine Hat have recently announced plans to introduce similar bylaws.
