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Canadians favor butting out when kids in the car

TORONTO (Reuters Life!) - Most Canadians think it's wrong to smoke while in a car with a child, a poll showed on Wednesday, and more than two-thirds of smokers agree.

The national poll conducted for the Canadian Cancer Society showed 82 percent of Canadians and 69 percent of smokers would support a ban on smoking while driving with minors.

An office worker enjoys a cigarette in downtown Toronto February 19, 2007. Most Canadians think it's wrong to smoke while in a car with a child, a poll showed on Wednesday, and more than two-thirds of smokers agree. (REUTERS/J.P. Moczulski)

"These poll results clearly tell us that Canadians are ready for action to protect the health of children," said Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst for the society.

Studies show second-hand smoke is linked to the deaths of more than 1,000 Canadians every year and exposure affects children and infants more severely than adults.

According to the Cancer Society, second-hand smoke increases the risk of asthma and is related to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Those who experience prolonged exposure are more likely to develop heart disease, breathing problems or lung cancer.

The latest poll favoring butting out when you buckle up follows a number of moves across Canada to make it illegal to smoke when there is a child in the car.

In late 2007, Ontario legislator David Orazietti introduced a bill to ban smoking in vehicles with children. Around the same time, a similar bill was introduced in British Columbia.

But in December 2007, the eastern province of Nova Scotia became the first jurisdiction to adopt legislation banning smoking in a car with anyone under the age of 19.

"We believe the Nova Scotia legislation is the start of a groundswell of change across Canada," said Cunningham. "Legislation banning smoking in vehicles with children must be made a priority."

Laws banning smoking in vehicles while a minor is present have been passed in U.S. states including California, Arkansas and Louisiana, as well as Puerto Rico and areas of Australia.

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