Australians do a lot of things right, and now they’ve added to the list with a progressive new law relating to cars, children and smoking.
Beginning April 1, people who smoke while children are in the same car can be fined.
Following a three-month grace period of a new law, police and tobacco control officers from the health department can issue “spot” fines of $110.
"I think most parents will take the message on board," said Lawson Ride of the Cancer Council.
"I think the main problem is people who are not used to having the children in their cars, so you got to be careful here. "I think most people are used to looking after their own children. But perhaps they might forget if they get other peoples' kids in the car."
Ride does not believe there is any need for a "blitz" from authorities, because most people will comply.
"I don’t expect there'll be a lot of prosecutions because I think people are taking the message. It's a very important message and it looks after kids and everyone seems to be supporting it anyway."
