Smoking in cars, with children under the age of 16 years in it, will attract a fine of $250 on the spot and if the offence goes to court, the offender will have to cough up $5,000 in fines.

According to the ACT Government's smoking in Cars with Children (Prohibition) Act 2011, an individual will be liable to pay a fine if he or she is caught smoking in a car with a child in it. The Act is supported by, both, the Canberra Liberals and the ACT Greens.

Canberra is the fourth state, after NSW, Western Australia and South Australia to have enacted laws against adults smoking in vehicles with children present. Only the Northern Territory has not passed any such law regarding smoking in cars.

Authorities say that although it is adult's right to choose to smoke, groups that are not able to speak for themselves have every right to be protected from passive smoking, especially because exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis and middle ear infection. Passive smoking is also a very big risk factor for heart disease.

The Heart Foundation, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Cancer Council all agree that the new laws will help young people stay away from the harmful effects of cigarette smoke.

Tobacco is the reason behind the deaths of almost 15,000 people in the country annually.

Before the ban is placed, the Government has launched a six-month campaign to educate the public about the hazards of smoking in cars with children and about the new law.

Everyone agrees that this Act is a good way of reducing juvenile exposure to tobacco smoke. It will not only protect children, but will also lower the health risk factors that come with passive smoking.