Car smoking ban to start in May
Laws to ban smoking in cars when children under 16 are present will come into force in South Australia in late May.
Legislation allowing for the ban to apply from May 31 - World Tobacco Day - passed the South Australian parliament last night.
Substance Abuse Minister Gail Gago said the new laws would put South Australia at the forefront of anti-smoking measures.
So far, only one other state, Tasmania, is considering a similar move.
In the US, just Arkansas has similar legislation.
''We've already banned smoking in work vehicles and we know there's also strong community support to extend that ban to those times when children are travelling in private cars,'' Ms Gago said.
''Cars are contained spaces with low ceilings and toxic air particles including carbon monoxide are concentrated at the head height of children.''
The minister said police would enforce the ban in the same way they did the use of mobile phones while driving, with on-the-spot fines ranging from $75 to $200, depending on the circumstances.
Pubs and Clubs will be smoke free from October this year as well. Hopefully 12 months after a lot of people will have quit (the social smokers) and the streets will be noticably cleaner... here's hoping.