No smoking with kids in car under proposed Alberta law

The Alberta government introduced new legislation on Thursday which makes it illegal to smoke in a vehicle where anyone under the age of 18 is present.

The Tobacco Reduction Amendment Act or Bill 33 will also ban the use of waterpipes in public areas like restaurants. If passed, the government plans to give businesses 12 to 18 months to comply with the new legislation. 

“We’ll proclaim the bill in parts so we can give people an opportunity to transition,” Health Minister Fred Horne said. 

The government also plans to support Bill 206, a private members bill banning the sale of flavoured tobacco products. 

Health experts believe that flavoured tobacco gets young people hooked on smoking. However, it isn't clear if menthol will be included under the ban. 

"We're not taking a position at this point on menthol specifically what we're supporting is a bill that would allow us to target any flavoured product," Horne said.